Ok.  Before you freak out when you see the picture, let me explain…

I’m a Worship Leader for Trinity United Methodist Church’s 8:30am Service here in Wilmington.  The pastor, Jeff, is currently giving a series of sermons based on the book, They Like Jesus But Not The Church.  Topics include is the church male dominant, politically motivated, oppressive to women, judgmental, etc.  It’s actually very interesting.  It’s a way for us as Christians to see how we are perceived by non-church-going people.  Some of their perceptions come from one time experiences…some of the experiences they mention are very similar to what happened to me just the other week as I was walking out of Mass.  The whole point is to think outside the Christian bubble…get to know who we are and how we can help change these “misperceptions.”  After all, no one likes a bad reputation!

This past Sunday’s topic was, “Is the Church Negative, Judgmental and Political?”  Jeff and I discussed the possibility of me coming dressed in a non-ordinary fashion to lead worship.  After prayerful consideration, I decided I couldn’t go do it full out, so I just messed up my hair, wore some fake piercings, put on my jeans, and my St. Paul Life Teen shirt.  I got a few looks, though.  People who have gotten to know me over the past month looked at me a little differently.  As we started, Jeff said something about my “new look.”  One woman said, “I like it!”  He worked me into the sermon and told everyone that I don’t normally go around dressing like that (Phew!  What a relief!), but asked if anyone made a judgment when they saw me.  (Jeff was  disappointed that I didn’t go all out like I initially said I was going to)  It made such an impact that he asked me if I would come to the 11am service, but go ALL OUT: mohawk, black lipstick, eyeliner, and nail polish, accessories, and more.  I should note that the 11am service is a more traditional crowd.

I went home and added to my attire, and drove downtown.   As I walked up the steps (I kept my sunglasses on b/c a good number of people know who I am), I was greeted by the greeter, though she was a little reluctant.  The gentlemen giving out programs didn’t offer me a program as I walked into the sanctuary.  (I was chased down by someone a few moments later and handed a program.  She knows who I am, but didn’t say, “Hi Chris.”  I thought maybe I had her fooled!)  I felt like I was being stared at as I walked down the aisle  It was an uncomfortable feeling.  I saw Jeff, who just started laughing.  I was going to sit in the middle, but he said I HAD to sit in the front row.  I very uncomfortably sat in the front row…really feeling that all eyes were on me – and not in a positive way!

As the entrance song was being sung, Jeff asked me to read the Scripture reading when the time comes.  I was reluctant at first, but agreed.  (I still hoped and prayed he would acknowledge me and tell everyone the reason for the “costume”)  Well, he started his sermon breaking the news to everyone, and he worked me into the sermon just like he did at the 8:30 service.

After the service, Jeff said that the message and the point of the sermon had gotten across bigger than expected.  People admitted how much they judged me.  Mike, the associate pastor, said he wished we had a camera on the faces as I walked up to read the Scripture!  A lot of people came up to me and thanked me, and said how much it made them think about how we judge by outside appearances.  An elderly lady asked me if I would come do her hair.  Another elderly lady when asked to comment on my hair after the service said, “I had boys…crazy hair doesn’t bother me.”  One older gentleman asked me I thought he could do the mohawk with his hair  Another older gentleman told me he leaned to his wife when I read the reading and said, “That’s the guy we hired?”

Oh…did I mention that Jeff’s boss (like the head of the Deanery in the Catholic Church) was attending both services?  Even he thought it was an effective teaching tool!

Before going home, I went to show one of my neighbors the new look…she got a big kick out of it and suggested that I go to Mass that night dressed the same way.  For some reason, I didn’t think it would go over too well.

Ok.  Take a look at the picture again.  If you saw me like this out in public, what would you think of me?  Would you say hi to me?  Would you just walk away?  Would you think I believed in Jesus?  Would you believe me if I said I was a Christian?  I was Catholic?  A Worship Leader?

Remember that every encounter with someone is a chance to spread Jesus’ message.  They may be a little uneducated when it comes to church things (teachings, beliefs, etc.), so remember to look for positive ways to bring them closer to Christ.  Avoid being negative, judgmental, and threatening – that’s the exact opposite of what Jesus would want us to do!  After some very recent encounters with fellow Christians, and being the victim (both planned and unplanned), I think I may have lost my faith had it not been as strong as it is!  I am able to understand exactly where the non-church people quoted in the book are coming from!

A the song Open My Eyes goes,  “Open my eyes, Lord.  Help me to see your face.  Open my eyes, Lord.  Help me to see!”  May we strive to see Christ’s light in everyone we encounter, and may we allow Christ’s light to shine through us in all that we say and do… today, tomorrow, and forever!