A friend of mine, on his blog, has related the story of a young student that wandered into his church, waited in the foyer and watched. She didn't understand what was going on, and more people were talking about who she was rather than talking to her.
Daryl's church isn't unique - and the story, including the strange glass barrier between the foyer and the sanctuary, could have been written at our church. In fact, I'm sure there are times that what we say and do alienates visitors. We get the picture totally upside-down.
Modern theorists remind us that we should help people belong before we expect them to believe what we share, let alone change behaviours (should that actually be needed).
This isn't new theory, though. St Francis of Assisi legendarily taught, "Seek first to understand rather than be understood".
Let's always listen and love, so that some may see Christ.
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