I know that the church is not supposed to follow the world, but sometimes, I think the church could learn a lot from the world.
Take this as an example:
What else could the church do instead of leaving trashy fliers like this on the windshields of other people? How about volunteering to be designated drivers for drunk people? Of course, the Christians who leave these fliers would spend the time telling their drunk passengers how they are going to burn in hell for getting drunk, so that might not work out so well…
But maybe instead of leaving junk on people’s windshields, the church could go clean junk up out of the bar parking lot. These lots are often filled with empty bottles, cigarette butts, and other fun items. Sometimes there is even puke.
There are other things the church could do, but whatever is done, we must make sure we are a blessing and not a curse to the people around us. And putting signs on windshields about how the owner is going to hell is not a blessing…
If you belonged to this church, what could you do to be a blessing to the people who frequent this bar?
Paradise Bar humorously bested “the churches” in this one. My wife and I do pick up the garbage around bars and liquor stores. We do it in the morning, so usually no one sees us. One time, the owner came out and asked who we were and we told him we were followers of Jesus picking up trash in the neighborhood. He responded very positively.
Just my opinion: Putting “pamphlets” on car windshields of those supposed to be bar patrons almost never if ever results in their “conversion”. Rarely is it an act of love, but rather an action meant to express disapproval and/or an expression of distaste/revulsion for the presumed lifestyle choices of those who presumably own the car. Bible verses about hell included on the pamphlets seem to those distributing them to validate their actions. This activity is all about those distributing the pamphlets rather than about those who receive them.
This kind of activity, that rears its ugly head in many disguises, frequently disguised as “love” is rarely love, but rather is loathing.
Sam,
Yes, I thought of you when I saw this Facebook update… not because you would put pamphlets out, but because you would be the one to go pick up garbage and clean up sites as a follower of Jesus. You inspire me!
Good morning! Picking up garbage is a good way to begin getting to know a neighborhood and meet the neighbors. Some people will ask who you are and why you’re picking up garbage. We find it important to make eye contact with thw people who pass us, smile and say hello.