|
I look like a Homeless Guy?Last week a gentleman came to our church and informed the secretary that he needed to pray with a minister. Since my office is directly across from the reception area, I have been frequently called upon to speak with such visitors during the week. When I approached this man, who said his name was John, I could smell the cinnamony Goldschlager aroma seeping from his pores. Through bloodshot eyes and fully dilated pupils he attempted to reproduce the story he had obviously rehearsed. He told me that his whole family had just been killed in a car accident. When I shared my condolences and offered to pray for John, his tenor quickly changed. "I don't have time to pray," he said, "I just need $20 to get to Kentucky."Continue reading... When I informed John that our church does not give money to people who walk up off the street, his feigning grief was supplanted by anger. "Why can't you just give me $15?" he asked. I informed him that our church contributes to an organization called Buckhead Christian Ministry, an ecumenical service organization that offers many different kinds of assistance to people in need. "Come on man, you can't lend me $10," he pined. I responded, "No, John I can't give you any money. But I would be happy to pray for you if you would like." "I don't want to pray. I want to talk to a minister!" he demanded. "I am a minister," I said calmly. "No I want to talk to a real minister." "John, I am a real minister." John looked me up and down and through slurred speech and mild profanity he informed me that I couldn't be a real minister because I looked just like him! This interaction has been rolling around in my mind for a week. Does a minister's physical appearance determine his or her effectiveness? Ministers come in all shapes and sizes right? Ought I look like this or this or this or this to be effective in ministry? In all fairness to John, he was right. We both had holes in our bluejeans. We both sported t-shirts. Except for the cleanliness of our respective attires, John and I did look strangely alike. My church is a prominent structure on one of the main thoroughfares in Atlanta. Most of our male ministers wear khakis and a polo shirt during the week and suits on Sundays. I have been called by this church to be "relevant" and "missional." So it seems that what I gain in relevance and authenticity I lose in respect. So what do you think? Should I retire the jeans and t-shirts and don the traditional ministerial garb? Should I cut my hair and remove my ear-ring so that I look the role of a pastor? posted by Jake at 1/09/2006 12:11:00 PM 3 Comments: |
Friends w/ Blogs
My Reading Queue Just Finished The Looooong List Previous Posts Hmmm... ------------ You Know You're a Religion Nerd When... ------------ Coordinator for Missional Community ------------ The Dark Night of the Evangelical Soul ------------ The Whitening of Little Minds ------------ The Church that is Emerging ------------ Carbon Dating ------------ The Double X Dyad ------------ My Silly Dog ------------ Chris Seay in Atlanta ------------ Archives November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007
|
dude. don't change. don't take the ear ring out. don't.
CUT THE HAIR!? NO!
don't you know that is where your power comes from?
We get judged by what we wear -- it's part of the human condition.
When I was in Atlanta, I always wore a suit and clerical shirt.
In Miami it is jeans and either a polo shirt or a clerical collar.
Either way builds bridges and builds walls. There is no universal dress code, so just be yourself.