Who wants to go with me?

What are a few terms to describe Christians in Atlanta?

"I think Christians are non-tolerant, narrow minded and hypocritical people!"

That's a pretty strong statement huh? Well that is a statement made by a guy at the Peachtree Tavern in Buckhead. Now before you start getting defensive about his statement, let me set this story up for you:

Monday night, Jim Kimball (author of the book 'They like Jesus but not the Church') went out to a local hangout spot in Buckhead (Peachtree Tavern). Jim is from California and was in town to speak at 722 Tuesday night, so he wanted to go out into the community to get a feel for the area. Knowing that he would probably run into non-believers, he carried a note pad and pen so he could ask that very question above and document the responses.

He approached three guys in the bar and asked them if they would answer few questions for a book he was writing about the church. They agreed to listen and answer and that is where the statement above came from. All three guys actually used the word hypocritical when answering the question.

After talking with the guys for a few minutes he asked the question "Have you ever heard of Buckhead Church?" All three said No! So Jim decided to ask a few more people this same question. He asked four more people in the Tavern if they had heard of Buckhead Church. The results showed that 7 out of the 7 he asked had never heard of Buckhead Church. Now, for those of you not in Atlanta, Buckhead Church is only about a mile from Peachtree Tavern...

Arghh...

My heart broke as I was listening to Jim tell this story at 722. Knowing that people in our community have never heard of our church and feel that Christians are narrow minded and hypocritical...that's a punch to the stomach right there. It hurts because it tells me that we're not doing enough! We are not reaching out enough. Not just Buckhead Church, because Jim could have mentioned any church and gotten the same response, but just we as Christians in general.

It makes me wonder if we (the church, all churches) have gotten so wrapped with our stages, lights and talented musicians, that we've missed the whole part about evangelism. You know reaching out to those who need to hear about Jesus. Letting them know about our Savior and the forgiveness and grace that he gives. Telling them about faith and showing them how to love like He did. Explaining that Jesus died for their sins...that He gives living water and if they give their life to Him they will never thirst again. All of that is way more important than a building and sound board.

I just want to run to the highest building in Buckhead and scream to the top of my lungs "Jesus loves you." I want to walk into the local coffee shops and start conversations, open up the doors of communication, pour into the people of my community. I don't want to hand out tracks or scare people to Jesus by telling them they're going to Hell if they're not in church. I want to POUR in to people. Hear their story, learn about their goals and dreams, offer them a listening ear, invite them to lunch, to events, to church, make a difference! I want to set the world on fire...on fire for Him...for Jesus!

I want to get rid of this negative image that people have of Christians! I want to make so that everyone has heard of the local church! I want to change lives and encourage hearts.

Who wants to go with me?

... Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...
~1 Peter 3:15