I ended up in a conversation with a kind-hearted homeless guy (a former Marine, discharged years back from a bad parachuting accident) who recognized me from a conversation we had a few years ago. He wanted to tell me why he left Christianity – I told him I'd be honored to listen to his story. It turns out he stopped believing in God because of the Church.
Everywhere he went for help people told him he simply needed to read his Bible more. He then proceeded to quote several Scriptures to me (he really did read the Bible a lot) about God’s desire for people to live out their faith in word & deed and to have compassion on the poor. He said, “Mark, there are so many holes in their gospel. They ignore so many Scriptures, I wonder if it’s THEM that should be reading the Bible more!”
He's completely correct. When Christians lack compassion & overlook people in the margins, they totally miss the point of Christianity and the purpose of following Jesus.
Fast forward: I told him I had basically left the church once upon a time, but ironically came back to Christianity because I encountered Jesus -- from hanging out with homeless people on street corners & back alleys!! We laughed about the irony of our stories & how they "just so happened" to cross again, and talked about putting our Ultimate Trust in a person (Christ) over institutions. I told him he is not overlooked. He is seen, by me but more importantly by Jesus. And yes, while too many churches do push people away, there are many who do not... Eventually we wished each other the best, and parted ways again (for now).
Jesus - a homeless man - left the 99 to find me once upon a time, and I know he's beside my friend somewhere in Pasadena right now. I pray that they too have a nice chat. (After all, they have an awful lot in common.)
REFLECTION SECTION (COMMENT BELOW):
I would love to hear your thoughts about this encounter. What are some reflections, responses, ways to move forward? If you were in my situation, what would you have said? If you were in his situation, how would you feel? And what are some Scriptures and/or other readings that come to mind when you read this story?
I am so happy I heard about your family on your awesome video in godvine. Your video was an amazing account of the joy and love each baby waiting to be born deserves. As for your above written I love what your homeless friend shared. I spent 10 year working in the bubble of a church and then another ten years living outside in the grime of the world and I am shocked and heart sick over those who share a horrible account of a Christian gone roque. Hyper spiritual, way over-churched folks who try to cram Jesus down people's throats. I feel it is 100% irrelevant for the cultur and age we live in. I wish there was a way to change it, because I dislike people making Christ and his lady out to look like fools, when in fact true Christianity is loving all, homosexuals included. I mention them specific because the church had done a horrible job ostrisizing them specifically. In fact anyone different from Sunday clothes people and any sinners not good enough for today's church clubs. I think a lot of Christians are actually unsaved. As in they have never encountered salvation, because salvation looks like a grateful soul who extends it to Everbody them, not the cramming and the false love.
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