A United Methodist Pastor Walks Up To The Bar...

No really...I did. There's a story behind it!

It was a long day, I had gone 9 hours without eating, on my way home from the funeral home across town and I asked Jenn on my way home if there was dinner at home. There was not (Alayna had a softball game and the family was there).

I was craving Chinese take out the whole way home until I got to the light on CR 210 where the Chinese Take Out restaurant is. All of a sudden I thought, "No, I don't want Chinese, it's too much food and I will be sick if I eat it all."

I passed the Chinese restaurant and drove past McDonalds (didn't want that either) and came across a local Mexican restaurant. I got out of my car, and thought, "Oh, I will just order at the hostess station and then go sit back in the car until my dinner is ready."

I get to the hostess station and said, "I would like to order take out." The hostess replied, "You can order takeout at the bar and wait there." I said, "Ok, thanks." As I am walking up to the bar, I thought, "Oh great, the pastor is sitting at the bar and as people come in that may know me, they may think something is really wrong with me, that I'm depressed, I'm a loner, that I just want to be left alone."

I sit down anyway. Open seat. Great. No one on either side of me. All of a sudden, I feel a tap. It's a man I don't know. He says, "Don't think I'm getting all snuggly with you. This is my stuff. (Pointing to his keys and drink) I replied, "Oh, I'm sorry sir, I'm just ordering take-out. He then told me what the specials were.

I order my food (take-out of course :)) and a sweet tea.

He begins telling me about the bartender and how she wants to travel the world and that he had traveled to many places too. I thought this guy was pretty interesting. He told me he had gone to law school worked for a university up north. I then asked him what he did and he told me that he was in the healthcare business. He explained alittle bit of what he did and then he came around to asking me the QUESTION...

"WHAT DO YOU DO?"

What's a United Methodist Pastor to say at the bar? Lol! I was honest and said, "I'm a pastor." His eyes got as big as saucers and said, "Here I am telling you about the specials!" We laughed. The next words out of his mouth were this, "I think that tonight is meant to be."

We began to talk faith and life. He has an interesting life, a great story! He asked me where I was a pastor. I said, "Mandarin United Methodist Church." His eyes got big again! He told me his child plays basketball for Upward and he is on our campus each weekend. The next words out of his mouth were, "I am coming Sunday. This is great!"

He asked for my card and I just ran out of cards so I told him to hold on and I ran out to the car to get a card. I brought it in and he was so appreciative. I was grateful too. Why? Because, I was led to not eat Chinese, pass McDonalds and stop at the Mexican Restaurant. I was grateful because the hostess told me to go to the bar to order. I was grateful because I sat down at the bar and had a sweet tea and decided to wait there. I was grateful because I got to meet Robert.

God's grace is at work. As Methodists, Prevenient Grace is a hallmark of our United Methodist faith. This grace of God comes into our life when we are least expectant of it. This grace moves us and convicts us. I am thankful the sanctifying grace of our Lord Jesus that continues to move us forward in holiness. I was tired, I was hungry. I didn't want to meet and greet. God had other plans for me to get me out of my cocoon.

This Sunday I am preaching on Luke 9:28-36, The Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus doesn't want us stuck on the mountain taking in His glory only for our own edification, Jesus wants us to get out off the mountain and share that glory for others to see.

I truly believe God desires for Longleaf @ 210 to come to fruition, because God continues to put people into my life daily along this stretch of road that want to talk faith. I love it!

I am glad I stopped by and was told by the hostess to go sit at the bar. I met a new friend. Hope to see you this Sunday or another Sunday,  Robert, if not, that's ok, at least God brought us together to have a good chat on faith.

Meeting Others Where They Are At

Yesterday was a long day coming. After nearly a year of studying our area's demographics, planning and praying, acting and implementing, the day finally arrived.

This was an opportunity for the Strategic Initiative: CR 210 to breathe life into its existence. We hosted our first Community Invitational Event for Longleaf @ 210, A Branch of Mandarin United Methodist Church.

We arrived at 2:00 p.m. and unloaded our materials for the days events. Volunteers began to arrive to work their areas, the food trucks were arriving and music checks were being done. The weather was perfect, approximately 70 degrees and overcast with no wind.

At 3:15, all of our volunteers gathered for a time of prayer and we hoped for people to arrive! Arrive they did! We had people from the church as well as people from the community come, children were playing, youth were hanging out, people were singing, and community was being strengthened.

Our ministry booths were all set with information on our new Fresh Expressions. I was working the "Kayaking With Jeff" booth, Nick and Mary were working the "Sports and Faith" Booth, Pastor Will was working the "Brewery Booth" and my mother-in-law, Cheryl was at the T-Shirt table. Kathy was doing her incredible work with face painting with great help from Renee, Bill was leading the musicians, Andrea was welcoming people, John and Gerri were thanking people for attending, Chad was playing games with our older children and Jennifer was leading the little ones in games! It was so exciting!

We met many young families over the two hours at the Johns Creek Amenity Center. These families shared with us their desire to see more ministry opportunities along CR 210 as it just seems too far to drive to Mandarin multiple times each week. We had some share with us that they are so excited to come to church on Sunday to check us out. I had a discussions with a mother who wanted to know more about what it means to be "Methodist."

I felt like a pioneer in a new land yesterday as we journeyed out of the walls of the church into a new frontier! It's great to be in a place where everything is SO new! There is an excitement here and a movement of God's Holy Spirit in this place. It is my prayer that we can continue to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in ways that will continue to bring people into a deeper relationship with Christ and each other.

Looking forward to what God will continue to do!