I received an invitation to the pastor’s association lunch, and with a little reluctance, I went today. There were nine pastors in attendance, including myself. They were:
The host, a female Episcopalian
A female Methodist
A Catholic priest
A Christian Church/Disciples of Christ
A Baptist
Another (male) Methodist
An Assembly of God
Me, a Free Will Baptist
and… wait for it…
The guy who sent out the sleeping Jesus postcard!!
He’s a pretty nice guy, actually. He’s a prison chaplain, and he may have an opportunity for our church to get involved as well. I mean what I said before, I wish him success.
I asked him about the postcard. He admitted he did not know what the magazine on Jesus’ lap was. I told him it was the Village Voice. He said, “What’s that?” When I told him, he said “Whoops.”
As far as the pastors association (or “alliance” as some insist on calling it), the jury is still out. I want to beware of getting entangled in any theologically liberal agenda, but today I came away with some much needed information on various helps ministries in the city. I do like the idea of churches working together to promote these causes. There is a central location that provides food, clothing, and utilities help for residents; there is a women’s job corps that teaches job skills; and there is a good Samaritan health clinic for people without insurance in the works. All this because Christian congregations come together and pool their resources. So, I’ll stick with it for now to see what good our church can do. Besides, the food was good!
Strong love, strange peace.
