Hospitality

Last week, I had 2 good experiences with hospitality, that it made me think a lot about the church and what do we do to welcome people.

As I posted yesterday, I joined a gym...Part of the reason was their hospitality. The people from the front desk to the manager to the trainer were all really helpful. They were all very clear on what I needed to do and what directions to take and they also really listened to what goals that I had in mind.

This made me think of the church for many reasons...If I walked into a church for the first time, would I be greeted in the same way? In some churches, yes...in some no. If I laid out my goals for spiritual formation, would a church know what to do with me? I would hope so...but I'm not too sure. And in some cases not because they didn't care, but because they didn't have a clear process. Maybe more churches are good at this than I think are, but I think so many churches are trying to survive rather than trying to thrive. And thriving churches think about these things.

The 2nd experience I had with hospitality was at Jamba Juice...I went and there wasn't anyone at the counter. It really wasn't a big deal because I wasn't sure what I wanted at all...But I probably was there for almost 5 min before someone (accidentally) came to the counter. Again, it wasn't a huge deal because I was still thinking about what I wanted! But the manager was so apologetic that she took 50% off my smoothie, apologized profusely and then gave me a coupon for a free smoothie the next time I come in. And I wasn't even a disgruntled customer! Even if I didn't like their stuff, I would go back again just because of the ways that they treated me!

When we as a church make a mistake, how do we make up for it? I mean we don't necessarily offer free stuff or discounts to make up for it...But, how do we apologize when we have done something wrong? I would hope that we ask forgiveness...But how do we reach reconciliation? I'm sure it's different based on the reasons for the need for forgiveness...But where do we start?

Lots to think about for sure!

Biting the Bullet

I've needed to join a gym for awhile. When I lived in Sheridan, I went to the YMCA...Although I joined there to go to their classes & then I never actually went to the classes--just worked out on the equipment. But as I was looking at the options for gyms here, I was really intimidated by the size of them. I asked around for what the best gym would be and I ultimately have gone with Lifetime Fitness.

I went there for a couple reasons--First because it was highly recommended...Second because of the class schedule & the fitness options (being open 24 hours was a big plus too!)...But largely because they were nice when I came to visit. The people were friendly, answered my questions, and didn't make me feel dumb for asking any questions. While I visited there for their reputation, I joined because of the people. '

One of the perks of joining when I did was getting to work with a trainer to have an assessment and then build a routine from there. So...I went on Wednesday for the assessment. Here's the thing. I've worked out for awhile, but I don't really know what I'm doing. The Y that I went to was small (go figure) and I didn't have a trainer giving me suggestions. So, when the trainer asked me what I usually did, when I responded he said, "Yeah, you probably shouldn't do that." And I realized that I haven't done anything structured for fitness since PE!

So, I bit the bullet and for the next 12 weeks I'll be working with a trainer for 2 one on one sessions a week. I'm really looking forward to it...Not right away, because I'm not super excited about the possibility of throwing up or being sore...But I am looking forward to learning how to work out properly and to help meet the goals that I've set out for myself. I'm also looking forward to having the accountability of someone waiting for me.

It's not going to be easy right away, but I'm glad to be making this journey!

Supporting the Connection

I've been a part of a training program that our conference offers to train potential church planters. As part of this, we have heard from church planters around our denomination which has been just fantastic and really hepful and educational.

Between these conversations and other conversations that I've had with other UMC planters or those who have been in close proximity to new church starts, I've heard a majority of the time (not every time) about the most hostile or negative responses coming from other United Methodist brothers & sisters...sometimes clergy, sometimes congregations.

This makes me incredibly sad...And it raises many questions for me...

Why are clergy & congregations so insecure about another United Methodist Church starting in their area...Shouldn't we be excited that they might be able to reach a new & different segment of the population who need to hear the message of the Gospel?

Why aren't the churches in the area reaching those people in the first place? Is it because they aren't attune to the needs of a group of people (which may not be a bad thing) or is it because they are so unhealthy that they just can't reach out because the message of the Gospel isn't real enough to them yet? ...I suppose this question/observation sounds the most negative and even judgemental...But I suppose that there might be some truth within there too...

How can conferences encourage neighboring churches to support these new churches and at the same time encourage the existing churches?

I'm disappointed that especially as part of a connectional system we don't support one other that well. I know that there are certainly exceptions to this and I hope that as we as a denomination plant more churches, this sentiment will change.

We like fake stuff...

I was listening to the radio the other morning and they were making an editorial commentary on the fascination with the reality TV shows around luxury...Shows like The Real Housewives shows or Millionaire Matchmaker or The Hills...I'm sure you can think of many more as well.

Is it that we are fascinated with how the "rich folk" live or is it the drama that these shows manufacture...(I'm not stupid enough to believe that these reality shows aren't scripted at least a majority of the time...)?

For as much reality TV as there is out there, a lot of it is not reality...Beyond the scripting of it even...I have to be honest and say that I don't have a whole lot of friends like Snooki or eat party every night like they did on the Hills...So, whose reality is that really?

Do we as a culture fool ourselves to think that we like reality, when in fact we really want to escape from reality for a little bit?

It's just not the same...

It's been 3 short months since I've moved...Well, I suppose it depends on what you think about a month. In many ways it feels like it was just yesterday that I was packing up boxes and watching the moving truck being filled up...And in many other ways it feels like I've been here forever (and in a good way!)

Last weekend, I decided I needed to do some grocery shopping and I just did it. A few months ago, I would have thought about it for awhile and then maybe have done it a week later...Because it would have been an ordeal to figure out when I had a couple hours to devote to groceries. Now, in an hour or less, it's done and put away. I've already started taking it for granted.

Recently, I was traveling along roads that just a few months ago were my regular routine. I drove them often and didn't think twice about them. When I was driving on them this time, I was paying attention and pointing things out...But I realized that they no longer felt like home. It felt like a lifetime ago that I conisdered them home.

It's a very weird feeling. In some ways, it's like going back to high school after you've graduated. (not that I want to imply a graduation into a new appointment)...But once you've left, you've changed...You're different...I'm different. I can feel it in the depths of my spirit. And I kind of like it....