Quitting church
Last Friday before dinner, I relaxed in the lounge of a convention center with a glass of wine & my current read: Quitting Church: Why the Faithful Are Fleeing and What to Do about It by Julia Duin. It was quiet in the lounge & my server stopped to talk, indicating his curiosity about the title of my book. I explained to him that there was a growing number of authors who are reporting & commenting on the hemorrhaging of members from faith communities. I told the young man, who had attended a private C
hristian school, that church leadership is starting to take notice… not all, mind you, but many prestigious leaders are.
The incident served to heighten & reinforce everything that I had heard that past 24 hours in sessions with author & distinguished pastor Adam Hamilton. His message was clear… people are hungry for authentic Christianity that does what Jesus called us to do; that is, put people first… all people, not just our members. Pastor Adam mentioned his new small group study that will be released in August titled When Christians Get It Wrong. I will be eager to read it & put it on our shelves because it is sure to provide clarity on this sensitive subject.
Unfortunately our conversation in the lounge was too brief… certainly for me, if not for my young server. If we had had more time, I would have thanked him for the openness he exhibited in approaching me. It is just such encounters that remind me that the Holy Spirit’s presence can be made known anywhere. May God bless this young man on his journey.
Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you said that you would have thanked him for “the openness he exhibited in approaching me.” I had a similar thing happen to me a couple of weeks ago, and I did thank the person for being so open and polite. That’s how real relationships are made.