Church vs. a gathering of people

My family was excited to have come across an event for a local church, which I will not name here...., on Facebook after a friend shared it. This event for was advertised as Community Wide on the 4th of July. My family visited the church almost 3 years ago on a Sunday morning. At the time we lived in further away and had commitments to our current church. Upon a move to a closer area to this church, we have been discussing visiting this church again hoping to find a new church home for our family. We were excited to attend the 4th of July event in order to perhaps meet people and other families of the church and look forward to visiting for services.

Upon arriving around noon, it was storming so we waited in our car until we saw people moving about again. My husband and I got out, along with our two sons, ages 2 and 10. We could see families and groups of people, some eating, children playing on the slides and such. We were all so excited. My husband watched our sons play while I got in line to get a plate of food to share with my family. Upon entering, I noticed something was different, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I stood in line, shoulder to shoulder with the people in front of and behind me. I smiled nicely and said hello. Awkward hellos were said back and then backs turned to me as they continued conversing with others that they obviously knew. I got some food and headed out and sat at an empty picnic table alone. I caught my husbands eye and he came over quickly to take a quick bite with our toddler, then went back to the slide to supervise the boys. I smiled and made eye contact with everyone who passed me as I ate.... some looked away awkwardly and quickly as to not acknowledge someone who obviously didn't attend that church. I watched small groups of people laugh and talk. I threw away my trash and joined my husband and children. I asked my husband if anyone had spoken to him and he said no. I asked if anyone had introduced themselves or invited him to church and he again replied no asking me the same questions.... and I replied... no. After being at your church event for an hour and a half... no one had spoken or even sent a welcoming gesture....so we left.... and we were hurt.

I wrote an email to this churches pastor expressing my concerns. I didn't write this email or this blog post to bash this church or disgrace them in anyway. I am sure that church is full of loving individuals and wonderful programs that are working for the Glory of His Kingdom. I wrote the letter and this blog post out of concern.  I write this with compassion to tell you that first impressions can be lasting impressions. Concern because as a Christian, I was an outcast at this church event, not welcomed, not greeted, not even looked at for more than an awkward passing glance from an abundance of people there. And it was painfully obvious that these were members of the church, not strangers who just happened to strike up a conversation. I am a Christian, and I can see this.... but what about those who might have attended who were not? Those who looked different? Spoke different? Acted differently? Were they treated the same way as my family and I were?

There are many scriptures that I could share concerning this but the one that is put on my heart is Matthew 25:34-40....

 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

This church advertised this as "Community Wide" .. but maybe what was meant by community was "The community of THIS Church -  if you attend here and we know you -- otherwise we hurtfully ignore you"....but what I saw a gathering of people... not a church.... The world has enough people, but not enough disciples... Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It's something you live by and share with others... and maybe this is something that this church needs to build on and work towards. Maybe several churches need to work.on this because its not the first time I've seen it happen....

I will be praying for this church and the people of the "community" that might come to know Christ through them.... And I encourage others who go to other chuurches to evaluate how they are towards newcomers whether it be at a church service or a community event.

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:7