But then he interrupted himself AGAIN a few minutes later with a slightly annoyed tone and said again "can someone get that noise off?"Īs if the sound team isn't working frantically trying to fix the issue? It struck me as the attitude of a diva. In another, he interrupted his own message to bring attention to a background noise and said "can we get that taken care of?" In one sermon he made a joke about how handsome he is. Pride wells up in that man when he steps on stage and it's very unbecoming of a church leader. Pastor Gary is very powerful and he knows it. May the lost who comes to your church truly searching and yearning to fill the emptiness in their life be treated with more grace and welcoming. I could understand if I had a drink but I had an EMPTY cup. It is a sad state of the church when legalism of NO DRINKS extends to no empty cups prevents someone from worshiping. I hope that my comments are shared with the hospitality team. Matthew 25:40 should be applied to hospitality while graciousness should abide and abound in church. It is the behavior that mirrors that of the secular world as I experienced today that causes comment that we Christians are no different than anyone else and screams hypocrisy. I encourage discussions with the 'welcoming team' as to what welcoming means when some people may come in who are making that initial ever visit to a house of worship and searching for God while looking for the outward difference in those who believe. While I am secure in my faith, and looking for a new church due to relocation, that may not always be the case. While the apologies of the Director of Events are appreciated, I hope you can understand the value that I hold that as Christians that we should be Christ like in all that we do. I definitely did not feel welcomed especially after I stood for almost 10 minutes at your welcome desk while your attendant spoke to her friends about her week and theirs with no offer of information about getting plugged in. It was a cup! And it was empty! That really was the push to leave and not return. I think the insistence that my empty cup couldn't come into the auditorium was absurd and incredibly legalistic. I was only greeted by two members of your congregation as I walked past every ministry table where everyone was far more interested in talking to each other than they were in offer greetings and information. Had it only been one member, I'd give the behavior a pass. I was told that my (empty) cup could not be brought into the sanctuary and that I would need to either throw the cup in the trash or I could worship in the lobby. I was then told that I need to throw the cup in the trash. I explained that it was a reusable cup and that it was empty. I return to the sanctuary where I was told that I couldn't bring my cup in. I went to the ladies room poured out the last little bit of my coffee in my reusable Starbucks cup and rinse out the cup. Entered the lobby of the sanctuary, I saw the sign no food or drinks. I saw numerous ministry outreach tables however no matter how long I stood and stared, no one asked me if I needed information or offered to help me. I then took it upon myself to walk up and down the Corridor and explore on my own. I asked again about paper information so that I can learn about the different ministries of your church and was told again there is no paper. She finally acknowledged me and when I asked about a church bulletin she told me that all the announcements are in the service and that I can scan the QR code. She stood talking with her friends about their week. I stood for almost 10 minutes waiting to speak with Jen about your church as it was my first visit. Upon entering I saw the welcome center desk. I attended your church at the 11:45 am service today. here are the comments I sent directly to the church. Through all his experiences, God has worked in significant ways to prepare him to serve in pastoral ministry.Most unwelcoming church I have ever visited. He has served in various leadership capacities as a missionary, assistant chaplain, youth leader, youth pastor, assistant pastor, LifeWay Christian Resources Team, and Trinity International University. Lupe is a creative passionate visionary leader with ten years of Christian ministry experience. They have three children Araceli, Elijah, and Noah. in Psychology from DePaul University and is a professional photographer. At the moment he is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry from TEDS as well. in Educational Ministries & Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University and a double M. Lupe Alva is the second senior pastor of Cornerstone Community Church of Brookfield, IL.
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