So I’ve been really proud of and excited for my home church and this new stage they’re coming into. Over the last several weeks, they have been doing a study on the book Radical by David Platt (even though I typically only suggest the Bible as a “must read”, this one would be a good idea). This is a super challenging book to read through, especially in the middle of the South and the American dream. While there has been some push back to it, people are really beginning to widen their view of the world and see the bigger picture and greater need out there. This book is really just an extension of the Gospel and the calling of the disciples (not just the twelve, but all of them) and it’s calling out the church. I have loved seeing some of the responses.
One of the most exciting success stories that I have been able to tag along for has been with my own parents. I came to church earlier today to visit the staff and my mom just looked at me and said, “The carnival is setting up across the street today and I think they need some waters and encouragement, can you carry the cooler?” Initially I didn’t think anything of it because this isn’t a weird request to me by any means, but then I thought about the context. Was this retired school teacher of 30 plus years wanting to take water over and have visiting time with a bunch of “carnies”? I didn’t think about that. So of course I tagged along.
The first guy I ran into came right up to greet us with a grease stained hand. These guys were definitely rough around the edges, but the second we told them there was no charge for water and we were from the church across the street, they wanted to just talk with us. Turns out this first guy, Chris, is from Nashville but tours with this group for most of the year. My mom walked away to pass out more waters, but I guess I’m always looking for stories now, so I hung around. He asked me what we were doing and why, and I just told him it’s because it’s scorching hot out and they needed water, so we brought it. He just laughed and said that was good enough for him. He then went on and told me a little of his story and how he got here, but was really just searching for a future. Somewhere. Then I just told him how some people think you need to preach all the time with church, when really you just need to help when you see needs and listen a little. They needed water, and we had it. Sometimes the Gospel is that easy.
Next, he just started asking this whole slew of questions and wanted to know all about this church that accepts anyone, has a live band, and brings water to “carnies”. He said we must be a special church. I told him no; there are churches like ours all over the world. Unfortunately though, they often stay there. Here these men are with great stories and longing for real community right across the street from a church, and they had no idea it existed until earlier today. We have churches all over the nation that will accept anyone and truly minister to the needs of the world, but it just needs to leave the building some of the time to find those people.
Prayerfully, we’ll have a group of “carnies” join us for church Sunday morning. For those of you joining us, you can thank my mom. And I’m sure she’ll be the first one to greet them too. I love to see the church living out the Gospel and not be afraid to leave the building…
