Post by Jeffrey Olver on Jan 12, 2008 23:45:21 GMT -5
I recently got a job at the Olive Garden to support my family while waiting for a more lucrative job with a better schedule opens up.
During my training, both trainers, independent of one another at different times mentioned that they hated to work on Sundays.
When I asked why, they said two words; "Church people."
I asked what they meant. They went on to say that they usually came in huge groups, were lousy tippers and were rude - even mean. According to the general opinion of the staff at this extremely popular restaurant here in Tyler, TX "Church people are the worst."
I sighed and wanted to weep.
Later as I thought about this disheartening news, I was reminded of how many folks confront me as I'm preaching on the streets and tell me that I'm "turning people away" from Christ. That I'm pushing people away from the Church.
Me? According to folks I've run into while preaching we open air preachers are the sole reason that people don't go to church or don't love Jesus.
What a pack of lies - straight from the mouths of the members of "The Church of the Comfortable and Tolerant."
Me? I'm the one turning people away from Christ? My homemade sign which reads "Repent and Trust Jesus" is turning people away from Christ? My quoting scripture is turning people away from Christ?
Or is it the 'Christians,' who don't have to say a single thing, but treat waiters like snot at restaurants? Perhaps it's the 'church people,' coming in droves to restaurants in their Sunday's best, nitpicking at every thing, complaining and mumuring about having to wait for their food?
In the words of a local pastor I once heard rebuking his church on this very subject, "Would it kill you to say 'Thank you?'"
I know that people turn away from Christ on their own accord. But if there's anything that turns people away is it the OA preacher? Or the CCC (Complaining Christian Customer)?
Just wanted to share my heart with y'all. Questions and comments welcome.
During my training, both trainers, independent of one another at different times mentioned that they hated to work on Sundays.
When I asked why, they said two words; "Church people."
I asked what they meant. They went on to say that they usually came in huge groups, were lousy tippers and were rude - even mean. According to the general opinion of the staff at this extremely popular restaurant here in Tyler, TX "Church people are the worst."
I sighed and wanted to weep.
Later as I thought about this disheartening news, I was reminded of how many folks confront me as I'm preaching on the streets and tell me that I'm "turning people away" from Christ. That I'm pushing people away from the Church.
Me? According to folks I've run into while preaching we open air preachers are the sole reason that people don't go to church or don't love Jesus.
What a pack of lies - straight from the mouths of the members of "The Church of the Comfortable and Tolerant."
Me? I'm the one turning people away from Christ? My homemade sign which reads "Repent and Trust Jesus" is turning people away from Christ? My quoting scripture is turning people away from Christ?
Or is it the 'Christians,' who don't have to say a single thing, but treat waiters like snot at restaurants? Perhaps it's the 'church people,' coming in droves to restaurants in their Sunday's best, nitpicking at every thing, complaining and mumuring about having to wait for their food?
In the words of a local pastor I once heard rebuking his church on this very subject, "Would it kill you to say 'Thank you?'"
I know that people turn away from Christ on their own accord. But if there's anything that turns people away is it the OA preacher? Or the CCC (Complaining Christian Customer)?
Just wanted to share my heart with y'all. Questions and comments welcome.