Got a triple nonfat latte today from the Mudhouse counter in our local Exxon gourmet gas station. The young woman who manages the coffee outlet strikes me as profoundly spiritual, intelligent, and thoughtful. She has waxed rhapsodic about why she loves this work -- "the art, the science, the people."
She asked me how my weekend had gone. I told her it was busy as I'm a pastor. "That's funny," she said. "You remind me of a youth pastor I knew once. Did you ever know Name Name?" I said I didn't, and hoped that I was reflecting some positive aspect of that person.
"That would be hard, because there really wasn't much positive about her," she said. "It was all about making herself feel better. It's like that a lot with ministers. They seem to think they are little angelic beings who are better than the rest of us."
I said something like, "That must have been hard, having a youth pastor like that."
She said, "It wasn't hard, it was kind of sad -- for her."
We discussed the fallibility of ministers a bit longer (me admitting fully to my own). Then, referring to what she perceives as hypocrisy in the church, she said, "That's why I choose not to enmesh with religion."
Well, girl, I understand. Been there, felt that, chose that. Came back after 15 years of that to be so fully enmeshed in religion that I could fairly be accused of being a Church Lady.
Now I don't need to save this young woman's sparkly, beautiful soul. But I do wonder: How do we communicate our faith in a way that speaks to her concerns? And if not at this point in her life, how about a little later?
And so begin the musings of the Vicar of Earlysville on the Buck Mountain Blog.
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The day-to-day story of a dynamic country church near Charlottesville, Virginia.
7 comments:
Welcome back. I look forward to hearing about the comings and goings of the Vicar on the Mountain. Keep going back for the lattes, being the Gospel without words. Let her find the Christ in you that is eager to know the Christ in her. Connie, you're the best Bible God could place before this woman. I am so glad you are there, and not far from us. Peace.
Way to go Connie. To face all doubters and critics with kindness is the best way to spread the word.
Question: I look at Christ and the principles of our belief in God as a fundamental force of the universe. And it's this faith which leads to Resurrection as certainly as gravity or any other basic law. This has led to many a disagreement with other Christians.
What would you say?
Yay, I'm so glad that you're blogging again! We miss you in these parts, and I miss all of the laughter over our long lunches.
Great first post!
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Seeing you, and getting to know you as a person, is by far more powerful than any "conversion" argument you could offer.
Carrie Z
God loves the latte lady where she is today.
The divine spark you received may strike the latte lady one day or not.
Feeling that she knows a very friendly pastor who likes her lattes may make her more at ease in a church community or she may be spiritual enough..
The Buck Mountain congregation could take turns visiting the Mudhouse and inviting her to church.
Tee hee. Amen. Peace.
I know that an encounter with someone like yourself, who embodies such joy and personal faith is profound. Someone with an open heart effected by such a meeting. Im sure you left your new friend wondering what filled your cup so completely. I now that my time with you always kept me searchin for a greater connection with our father in heaven. I miss and love both you and Papa. I hope to see you soon!
Love always
Joseph
I should have profread i ment to say someone w/ an open heart cant help but be effected by such an encounter.....oops!
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