this may be when I get the crickets
this may be when I get the crickets

this may be when I get the crickets

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this may be when I get the crickets

I’m about to do something I never do, at least here on this blog. I’m asking you to come to church.

I’ve never done that here, at least not that I can recall. I rarely do it in person, either, because I don’t want to be that person. The one you want to avoid. The fact is, most of you that read this blog probably go to church with me already. But some of you don’t.

This invitation is for all of you. Whether you go to church with me, or go to another church, or don’t go at all – I’d like for you to be at Fellowship North this Sunday. Let me explain.

Out of every set of words I wrote last year, this post got the most attention. You guys commented, emailed, tweeted, texted, facebook messaged – even talked to me face to face about my experience in the journey that our church is currently on. I was completely taken aback by that. I kind of thought I would get crickets on that one.

Part of what I took away from that is the simple fact that people in churches don’t openly talk about why black people and white people (and Hispanic people and Asian people…) don’t go to church together. Or why that might even be a problem. In fact, most of you said some version of “I’d love to know more.”

I do think it’s a problem. In our culture and in our churches. I have strong feelings about the particular battles our city faces. But it was actually this short but pointed post by Joshua Longbrake that drove me to invite you from this space, because I am simply sad and embarrassed for this particular blindness that much of the church keeps holding onto.

Which brings us to this week. My friend Taido will be speaking on this topic in church on Sunday, trying to bring a Biblical perspective to it all. Trying to look at why it might be important – needed even – for people of different races, different socio-economic backgrounds, different ages to worship together.

And, in case you wanted to hear a pastor talk about something that is rarely talked about – I wanted to invite you to come.

Fellowship North is located at 1 East 52nd Place in NLR. There are 2 services at 9:00 & 10:45, and dress is casual. And a disclaimer: Neither I, nor the church family I’m a part of, have it all figured out…

11 Comments

  1. I love it when that Taido guy preaches.

  2. Why you gotta get all up in my business?

  3. this sunday?! really?
    no pressure or anything.
    good thing i got more sermons than jamaica got mangos.

  4. I very much want to come to this. Just have to work out the timing based on responsibilities we have at our own church Sunday. THANK YOU for letting me know.

  5. Savannah B

    Oh, the Bees will be there. And their handlers, too. Can’t wait to hear the message!

  6. holla! we love listening to the pastor in the hot seat…

  7. This sounds like a message I’d love to hear! I hate hearing how church hours on Sundays are the most segregated hours and blahblahblah. I’m volunteering at our church this Sunday, otherwise I’d be there in a heartbeat.

  8. So glad to know this dialogue is continuing at Fellowship North. I’ve told folks at my new church, Fellowship Batesville, some things about this, and it piqued the pastor’s interest.

    We have been “borrowing” some other things from Fellowship North (I try not to say too often: “At my last church, we did this,” but it’s hard not to!).

    I miss you guys. Keep up the good work. I’ll make myself a note to download that Taido guy’s sermon Sunday afternoon.

  9. Natalie

    Wonderful post! I was shocked at the post from Joshua. Does that type of stuff really still happen? Amazing. One thing that has been interesting to me over my spiritual journey is the fact that I now go to church with people of different race and ethnicity. I grew up Lutheran in a small Arkansas town, and never attended church with anyone of a different color. I probably would have been shocked to see someone who wasn’t white. I’m now Catholic and, although there aren’t many, I do see different faces in the pews. It’s good to know that we can all come together on a Sunday to worship. I applaud what you all are doing at Fellowship North. I’m sure the road has not been easy, but I’m glad someone is out there trying.

  10. We’ll try and come!  Scott’s skiing (the bum) so don’t know if I can wrangle the masses alone, but will try!

  11. We are on our way to Fellowship North because of this blog post.  Looking forward to hearing the sermon…it’s one of the most important topics of our times.

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  1. By Grace and Race | Damn You, Little Rock 17 Jan ’11 at 12:07 pm