Feb 13, 2013 -- 6:13PM, Ironhold wrote:

Hypothetical situation.


You are attending church at a chapel - or even denomination - that isn't your own.

While in the parking lot, you see a beat up car gently sliding on into the parking lot, rather loud music blasting out of the speakers.

When the car pulls into a spot, you see the driver get out... and he's not exactly very presentable. Although he's in a shirt and a tie, something about him seems off. Maybe his clothes don't fit right, or maybe they're wrinkled. Maybe he's got a baseball cap on. Maybe he didn't shave this morning. Just... something.

The minister of the congregation informs you that this person is not only a member of the congregation, but a member who is held in very high regards for his scriptural, historical, and theological knowledge.

How would you handle it?

I wouldn't think a thing of it.  :)  Given the opportunity, I might make his acquaintance.

"What would your reaction be?"

Ok, I understand now.

There's so much diversity among people in society these days, in pretty much any setting (schools, workplace, business...) that I don't think I'd have much of a reaction at all. I would see just another guy I guess. My own congregation runs the gamut from jeans and workshirts to shirts and ties every week, so your hypothetical member would fit right in. :-)

  My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4,NIV)

  If Jesus Christ himself showed up at a church while wearing the modern-day equivalent of what he wore while he sojourned among us, how many churches would turn him away?