Today I met with a senior pastor of a church who has been in the streets feeding the homeless for quite some time. After many months of this, some of the board members of the church suggested that they hold a church service on Saturday night at the under bridge where they had been feeding the people. The pastor said no, they would bus in those who wanted to go to their church instead. Some didn’t understand this - or more to the point - were uncomfortable with this idea. Later in the conversation after he explained his vision and passion for his church, he told me about a homeless man they found drinking beer stark naked in the church bathroom while talking to himself in the mirror. And actually that was one of the more tame stories of things that had happened if you can believe it! Anyways, the pastor said he cared more about loving people than he did about the building. He acknowledged that the plans for our upcoming outreach may in fact cause a bit of property damage due to the demographic we are trying to reach; stained carpets, holes in the wall, ect. He said he didn’t care because loving people was more important. I am not writing this to put this man on a pedestal or suggest that causing property damage to church is cool. But I WILL say, if you find a church like this, cherish it and hold on to it.... Last night, I was in a church where if Jesus walked in wearing tattered rags and not smelling so... "churchy" - if you will, he would be welcomed, loved and accepted. This experience has added more fuel to my already-burning-hot fire for our upcoming events. Please contact us to get involved. I might be messy, but it’s gunna be real! www.toddgministries.com