I often think about how great Starbucks can be at connecting with people and I wonder why it can be more effective than some churches. I love coffee. There are times when I don’t think I can start the day without a great cup of coffee. I mean, I love to grind the beans and went through a real “Java Snob” period where I would only drink it if I brewed it using a French Press. Instant? You gotta be kidding me…
I love Starbucks and I love their coffee, but I also love how they operate and the culture you experience in a Starbucks store. I can’t tell you how many meetings I have conducted at a Starbucks. Checking my email, drinking a cup of coffee… And you know what? Even if I buy just one cup of coffee and sit there for hours – they seem happy about it! I have never been asked “Do you need anything else sir?” “Are you finished sir?” “Sir will you please wake up? SIR, YOU ARE DROOLING ON THE TABLE!!!!”
Just the opposite. They welcome you in and seem genuinely glad you decided to stop by. You know what else is interesting? They will help you when you seem confused. If you are not sure about the decision. And they help you with the same level of passion if you have piercings sticking out of your face and a full body tats, or if you are wearing a $1000 suit. They want to help.
They also make a lot of effort to learn your name and what you drink. If you have a regular Starbucks you visit you know what I mean. They greet you by name and are excited to start preparing your favorite beverage!
I think they may be onto something…
I know a guy named Greg who knows a lot about cars. I know nothing about cars. Sure, I know how to drive one, depending on who you ask, but the mechanics? What makes them run, or how to repair them, things to look out for? Nada. When it comes to those things I am clueless. Now when a situation came up, where I needed some help in this area, Greg is the man I go to. Why? Because Greg loves cars and has this incredible knowledge. I know this the same way anyone would after spending time with Greg. He talks about cars. He uses a lot of analogies and they are usually about cars. He likes music about cars. He reads books about cars. He sees cars EVERYWHERE. Now Greg never tries to convert me into a car lover. He never tries to make me see cars through his lens. He also knows he could overwhelm me at times with his level of expertise and is always sensitive to that. But when I need to know something about cars, he is the man to ask.
Why is it so hard sometimes to have this kind of passion for Jesus? Why do we scare people or intimidate people when we want to share Him? I had to ask myself why I can’t be more like Greg and his cars and start seeing Jesus everywhere. Why can’t I be so in love with Jesus that when people are seeking purpose, when they are seeking love, that maybe they would talk to me so that I can point to Him? And so I did. I didn’t replace normal conversation topics with Jesus, but I stopped holding back. It might be in a story, something I learned during Bible study, praying for someone. It’s amazing how naturally He can weave into conversation if you open your heart and voice to Him.
Check out the trailer for the movie “Lord save us from Your Followers”… have not seen the film, so this is not an endorsement, but I definitely plan to check it out.
Lord, Save Us From Your Followers
While organized religion and even Christianity has a checkered past regarding loving your neighbor as yourself, have you ever considered the good done specifically by groups of Christians to fight injustice and service the needs of the poor and the marginalized? Today, I had lunch with a Christ-follower who is giving a sizable portion of his retirement funds, and an incredible investment of his time and energy to start an orphanage in Honduras that will be self-supporting through sustainable agriculture and fisheries. Why? What motivates him to help those who can never pay him back, and those that are considered throw-aways in the capital of this impoverished country? How many of the relief agencies or hospitals were founded and funded by atheists? Just a thought..
My uncle was a very well-known police officer in the city I grew up in. I would drop his name to get out of a ticket, to impress someone or try to speed up a process – no problem. It’s funny because some people knew him; some really liked him, and in a couple of other cases some people may have butted heads with him. I still, without much hesitation, was willing to take the risk of bringing him up in conversation.
I now know Jesus, I have a personal relationship with Him, and He happens to have a bit more authority than my uncle – and yet I have been reluctant at times to bring up his name when it might save me or others the most… I worry about their reaction. I worry that maybe people have “butted heads” with Him and so I don’t want to offend. I think I get hung up trying to defend Jesus – and He has done nothing that we need to defend or apologize for. It is the acts of men that have offended. I think that actions in the name of Jesus, but certainly not Jesus are what have been so offensive.
Let me also confess that when I say “actions of men”, I put myself in that camp. If I tried to defend all of my actions, or any other Christian’s actions, it would be impossible. I think that is ultimately where the rub is. We view ourselves as part of the “Christian Team” and so we want to support our team. Now that is not necessarily a bad viewpoint, it’s just that it sometimes gets in the way of the bigger point. The point being Jesus. Him. A relationship with Him…
What do you think?
Irritable Baptist Syndrome (IBS) is a spiritual virus robbing believers of their joy and love for Christ and others. Believers become legalistic, proud and judgmental, failing to exhibit the love of Christ or the fruit of the Spirit. Once infected, these believers become increasingly ungracious and unpleasant to be around.
You may be familiar with the term IBS as it relates to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a disorder that creates abdominal pain and many other uncomfortable symptoms. There seem to be a lot of people suffering from this problem. I have an uncle who has the traditional IBS and talks about it all the time. Usually he feels compelled to share his terrible trials and tribulations that come with IBS over a nice meal or when we introduce him to strangers. Are you familiar with the acronym TMI? Unfortunately my uncle isn’t. Now don’t get me wrong. It is important to discuss IBS and the serious damage it can do. That’s why there is a book coming. And since there is a book on its way, and not your annoying uncle, you can read it when it’s convenient for you, and that may or may not be while you’re eating, but at least you are in control!
As a sufferer of Irritable Baptist Syndrome I think there are some parallels. IBS, the medical kind anyway, tends to make you grumpy and hyper-focused on how you feel. Since I have gotten more involved in leadership and church activities, it seems my enjoyment of church has actually decreased. I have also lost my connection with unchurched friends and neighbors. Perhaps that is why Jesus intentionally invested time with those that church leaders felt were beneath them. Like the Pharisees, I find myself being less gracious with those outside and even critical of those who are inside the church. It has been a subtle shift, but not a good one. Like a low grade fever, I honestly didn’t see it coming. I am afraid I may need a break from church in order to get well.
More to come…But in the meantime, what do you think? Have you ever suffered from this form of IBS?
The book is nearly finished. We would love your thoughts on this subject. Again we define IBS as:
Irritable Baptist Syndrome (IBS) Irritable Baptist Syndrome (IBS) is a spiritual virus robbing believers of their joy and love for Christ and others. Believers become legalistic, proud and judgmental, failing to exhibit the love of Christ or the fruit of the Spirit. Once infected, these believers become increasingly ungracious and unpleasant to be around.
Keep in mind we could have called it “Irritable Believer Syndrome” as no denomination is immune from this affliction. Give us your thoughts and stay connected – and most importantly, spread the word! Education is the best defense against IBS!
Connect:
info@ibschurch.com
