This morning we're having a funeral service at our church facilities. It's for a neighbor lady who passed away early Sunday morning. Those sirens I heard at 2 am were for her. And, no, no one in the family attends our church, but they asked if they could hold the funeral here. It's close to their home, and the couple was married in this building. I said "sure"... and we're serving them lunch too.
They have asked several times what our "fee" is. I tell them each time that their is no fee, this is what the church is here for - to serve the community. They seem quite baffled by this, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they pay us something anyway (which is not necessary).
What's worse though, are the people of the church who don't understand why we're "allowing them" to use "OUR" building. Hmm. Yeah.... the last time we hosted a funeral for someone who didn't attend our worship services (and a meal), apparently some of those serving the food were having quite the discussion about this. I was glad one lady finally spoke up and told them they were being crass and that this is what the church is supposed to do at a time like this. I have my speech for today mentally prepared.
Because I believe this IS what the church is supposed to be about: serving the community we live in, and the world at large. And if we can't even reach out to people at a time like this, man... we just might be missing the point completely. Offering to help people when there is a death in the family is the LEAST we should be doing. I consider this to be a prime ministry time, and hope to give my best today. And it works out well, because I'm not actually "doing" the funeral. They have two other pastors that the deceased knew well who will be taking care of the service. So I'm just running the sound board, making coffee, setting up the family room, the fellowship area, the sanctuary, and I can then take care of any needs that may arise.
So, I guess I better get at it. Peace & blessings, peeps. This is a revolution.
6 comments:
I wonder, really, what those people need church for. Those people who were so "inconvenienced" by her death--if we could know the truth, would they truly be there to get closer to God, or is it just the feeling of fraternity they want?
Just out of curiousity, what year were they married there?
MR,
They were married 41 years ago. And I have no idea why they wanted to use our church building, or any church building, for that matter. I didn't ask.
It was a bit odd (now that it's over), that the two pastors who did the funeral were actually from a church about 5 miles from here - which is where the deceased used to attend. She didn't anymore, and I don't know why. I don't really care to know why. I still think it's the right thing for us to do though - because if the church can't serve the community they're in, then I don't see how they can say they are serving God. And I feel we should serve anyone who asks - because it's not "our" church, but it is God's church.
Obviously not everyone agrees with my perspective (like the church who wouldn't let us rent their facility for a wedding), and that's why I call it a revolution. In my opinion, there is way too much comptetition and leveredging and whatnot - even in the church - and I think it breaks God's heart. He is the forgiving Father of the prodigal son... and we're all prodigals to some extent. Thank God for His grace.
I don't know if that addressed your question or not. Maybe I was just addressing my own. :)
Wow, 41 years ago. It's cool to be associated with something that has that much history. Believe me, I KNOW, I ate at Coney Island downtown today. :)
What I mean is:
Some people go the YMCA to meet girls, not to work out.
And I think that some people go to church not to pray, but to reinforce that they are better than "them."
And when they say something like "can you believe the nerve of that dead person..." I think that makes it about as obvious as a fart in a car that they are getting nothing out of going to church, they're just too thick.
MR,
Oh, oh, oh... now I see. Sorry, I was reading your first comment completely backwards. Yes, you are absolutely right - especially about the fart in a car.'
MR, believe it or not, some people actually go to church just to meet girls too. I suppose that ones universal.
heck, I wake up in the morning just to meet girls.
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