Last night we had our second service at the bar. We had 3 less people than the prior Tuesday. However, there were less of "our" people there (regular Forefront attenders) so there were actually more "outsiders" there. The service went awesome.
The first week my highlights were: (1) During the message, some guy at the bar yelled "Bullsh*t!" There is some debate about whether he was saying it to me or not. Immediately after, someone yelled, "Shut up!" which most people think was directed at the B.S. guy, not at me. Either way, the owner of the bar grabbed the B.S. guy, put him in a headlock, and escorted him out. I have been preaching for about twelve years, and I've had all kinds of reactions to my sermons, good and bad, but never has anyone had to be put in a headlock and carried out of the room. That is too sweet! (2) After the service this kind of big, kind of tough looking guy came up to me. I realized he had tears in his eyes. He said, "Hey man, thanks for teaching me about forgiveness." Okay, that was seriously awesome.
So check this out: Last night (week two) immediately after the service I went up to that guy and said, "Thanks for coming back." He said, "No, thank you. I would never go to church on a Sunday morning. This is perfect for me. Thanks for doing this for me." I answered, "No problem, man, I'm glad to be here." So he says, "Can I ask you a question. How much would it cost me for a service?" I was like, "Sorry, what do you mean?" He said, "How much would it cost me to have a service?" Me: "Sorry, I don't get what you mean." Him: "How much would it cost to get the guys to come out?" Me: "Do you mean our band?" Him: "Yeah." Me: "Ohhhhh, yeah they do play at all kinds of stuff. I don't know how much it would cost. You'd have to ask Joe." Him: "Okay. See, I have a huge back yard, and I throw huge parties. Huge! So I'll buy all the food and all the drinks, and I'd like to have a service." Me: "A service?" Him: "Yeah, I'm going to invite all my friends, and then surprise them with a service. Just like what you guys did tonight. I want the sermon, the videos, the music." Me: "Wait a second. You mean that you want to have a church service in your back yard for your friends?" Him: "Yeah. Just like you did tonight. So, how much would I have to pay?" Me: "Dude, if you invite all your friends over and let us have a church service in your back yard, you definitely don't have to pay!" Him: "Really?!?" Me: "Really!" Him: "Welllll, then, I'll have you picked up in a limosine." Me: "Uhhh, no, that's okay, I have a car." Him: "So you'd come out and do church for my friends for free?" Me: "Yes!" Him: "Wow! Okay, then you can count on it! We'll do it on a Friday night."
How cool is that?!? This guy is not a Christian, and is going to surprise all his friends with a church service!?! Reminds me of a party some guy named Matthew threw in the Bible...
By the way, if anyone reading this has a bunch of non-Christian friends and wants us to come and do church for them in your back yard, we'll do it for free. (But if you live more than 60 miles from my house, send the limo.)
- Featured on newchurches.com
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
More from the Bar
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
Okay... so I have to admit that when my husband first told me about this... I thought it was a little too "in your face" for people... you know, like when Christians feel the need to "tell" the unsaved how "lost" they are instead of "showing" them love.
So my husband told me to read this post... and I needed to apologize. This is great... and even if just one... although it certainly sounds like more from this guy having the party!... Please post about that when it happens. There's nothing like a story like this to remind us what it's REALLY all about.
Keep up the great work, and breaking the road for those of us to follow.
Bless your ministry,
Amy
www.DandelionSeeds.com
Thanks Amy. I like the way you think - I agree that Christians are WAY too often WAY too in people's faces.
Our service isn't. The concept is I guess, doing church in a bar. But the way we're doing it is very culturally relevant and very sensitive to where people are at.
I think if you were able to check it out, you'd like it. And I can say that everyone at the bar likes it, well, except maybe the "B.S." guy, but I think he actually maybe liked it until the bar owner put him in the head-lock...
This is classic Vince.
Hey Vince,
Can I come and be an intern in your church? I really appreciate your heart for the lost, especially the fact that you are willing to go and share the good news of Jesus with those who are outside...
Love it.
Will
You've latched on to something so simple, dare I say "biblical," that the response is overwhelming to the very audience that Jesus has a vested interest in reaching.
I like the Matthew party reference... I think Jesus is smiling.
Thank you for showing us the cahonies to do what He has wanted us to do all along.
Hey Will,
I assume your joking about being an intern, but just in case you're serious, here would be the conditions:
1. You don't microwave cats or goldfish,
2. You raise your own support,
3. You haven't been arrested in the last 6 months,
4. You haven't drank paint by mistake (again),
5. You raise your own support,
6. You aren't currently stalking anyone,
7. You don't bite,
8. You don't lick your own underarms because the taste of deodarant and sweat mixed together is "tasty,"
9. You love God, love people, and want to turn the world upside down,
10. You raise your own support.
As you can see, we've had trouble with interns in the past, and have no cash.
But if you fit that list ... when do you want to start?
What a wonderful response!! Now that's ministry! And, church in backyards is what we specialize in! Except it's normally the front yard and we don't have videos due to the lack of electricity in the neighborhood. Keep looking up and following Him!
Alisha in Argentina
ROCK ON VINCE
that is what life is all about! how refreshing! thanks for being the church and not just doing church! your blog is a huge encouragement to me.
-THIS IS SO AMAZING! GOD IS GREAT! Thank you Forefront for being bold, Jesus-Dangerous, and using the talents and passions God has given you to do something amazing for the Kingdom! I hope more churches follow your lead.-
For a minute there I thought I had a chance at being an intern...then you had to go and throw number 8 in there. Arrgghh! And my single friend informed me that it's not"stalking", it's "attachment impaired observing".
So, after your response to mine, my husband talked to me and I told him if the Lord ever makes our dream a reality (to hop in a motor home with our six (almost seven) children and travel across the United States) that you're definitely on the list of places to stop!!
Here's hoping!
So is the back yard church going to happen or what?
Post a Comment