This spring I visited a friend for the weekend. She knows that I am a regular at my church, and asked if I wanted to attend hers.
"I would love to!"
I think she was a mixture of excited and nervous. What if it was vastly different from my own? What if I didn't like it? How would I react if I was offended?
She did her best to tell me what to expect, and introduced me to her friends. They were warm and inviting. The music team was energetic, and joyful. While my friend loves to sing there were enough vocalists in the congregation who wanted to serve that she doubted she would get a chance.
The pastor was dynamic. He spoke for almost an hour, though I didn't notice the time. He used humor, scripture, stories, and his presence on stage to keep me engaged. There were probably points of disagreement with my own beliefs if I had been looking for them. Which I wasn't. I came to find what was good and that openness kept me busy.
"How did you like it?" she asked cautiously over brunch across the street.
"I loved it! Thank you for bringing me." Her shoulders relaxed.
I recall a time a few years back when a woman came to the service I attend. Walking out she expressed her displeasure. She listed the faults in no uncertain terms, and assured me that she would not be back.
I still ache to remember it. Here was a congregation I cared about, doing the best it could to provide a positive environment for spiritual growth. But for her it was not good enough. She arrived expecting to find flaws and she did.
Maybe it's a coincidence.
