G's Rants

Wounded

I wrestled with posting this. While living transparently is a huge value to me, I also realize that it opens up massive-huge cans of worms for us as a church just because of the title after my name.

So I've decided to post it. Not for all reasons altruistic but also because it hurt. And it pissed me off at the same time. Got this email this week.

Your preaching attire never crossed my mind until you assumed your new responsibilities. For some reason, and I really don’t know why, your sloppy attire struck me. My first thought was “oh, I wish Grant would wear slacks and a shirt when he preaches” that was it, just a thought. Then the next time I thought “you know, I should mention to Grant my feelings about his preaching attire”, but not being a confrontive kind of person I remained silent.

Grant, I have enough confidence in your preaching and the exhortation of the Holy Spirit to know that they [poor family] would have returned even if you had preached in Dockers and golf shirt. Give it a try. You just never know.

We grabbed some face time this past week because I'm smart enough to know that these discussions never go well via email. The conversation was pleasant and kind. But it was pointed as well.

XX:"Are you saying that you can't preach a Spirit-inspired sermon in Dockers and a collared shirt?"

GE:"No, my dress has nothing to do with the kind of sermon I deliver."

XX:"By dressing as a slob, you do realize that you are completely missing a segment of our body."

GE:"Hmmm."

XX:"Well, to some people, they can't get past the dress."

GE:"Where do poor people go to church in this town? Why - by our unspoken dress code - are we asking the 'least of these' to be more mature than 'the most of these'?"

XX:"I'm just trying to understand what is your avoidance to wearing dockers and nice shirts."

GE:"Honestly, it's this. Overdressed rich people don't come into a context and feel intimidated, shamed, or embarrassed. They come in, they think everyone else is poorly dressed OR they next time they show up, they don't dress up as much.

Underdressed poor people come into that context and the shame, guilt, and embarrassment is so much that they probably aren't ever coming back. I never want dress to become a stumbling block for people to encounter Christ at Grace. Never."

XX:"What's with the focus of ministering to the poor lately? I mean, is this the direction Grace is headed?"

GE:"A buddy of mine a year ago started challenging me - with his life, not his words - about how rich and self centered I am. He probably doesn't even know the impact he's having on my life. But it forced me to re-read Jesus.

Do you know how often Jesus equated following him with helping the poor, widows, and orphans? It's convicting me to the core. And I'm fumbling through this, trying to allow Christ to change me. I could live the rest of my days without buying another piece of clothing. I've got that many clothes. It's a luxury.

And as far as the direction of the church - yes, I think it is starting to and will continue to be a focus of Grace. I'm not sure what it will look like. But could we continue calling ourselves a church if we didn't help the poor?"

XX: "There are people who aren't going to be comfortable with that and they will go to another church. You know that, right? So by dressing this way, you are willing to let them walk out?"

GE: "Yes and yes. I feel for those people who can't get over preaching in jeans. But they aren't in danger of being left out or looked over. So I don't feel a huge call to 'minister' to them by what I dress in.

I also know this - they are never going to experience the fullness of Christ if they only allow that which is comfortable into their world. Is it really about being comfortable?

And more pointedly - what are you going to do with all of this?"

XX: ""I don't know."

The meal ended okay, we hugged, XX confirmed his love for me and the church.

But it stung on multiple levels that I am still trying to sort out.

posted by Grant @ Wounded on 9/24/2005 09:47:00 AM