Un-Churched Interview #2

For this survey, I interviewed a friend, Craig. He is 21 years old, a non churchgoer, college student, honest, smart and very talented with a guitar.

Q1.) What do you think is the greatest need in the area you live?

Answer) Aside from a better economy and job market? Better help for the poor and homeless. Something to do, other than bars and coffee houses. Perhaps a venue or a nightclub.

2.) Are you actively attending church?

Answer) No, I haven't for quite a while, since Catholic Church in high school with parents. Even at Emmaus I didn't attend any single church. 

3.) What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?

Answer) I am interested in logic, dogmas and the ontology thereof, philosophy, organized religions and informal faith fellowships, cultural anthropology, biology, and a little cosmology. I like to think about humanity, about cultures, about development and evolution and change. 

4.) Why do you think most people don't attend church?

Answer) Some people aren't interested in church. Some people experience the group solidarity and comfort of religion from other sources. Some people feel that worship can be done in other ways, while some simply aren't interested and don't feel it's a necessary part of belief for whatever reason. Church (even the selection of a church) is a matter of personal taste, and each believer has their own opinions.

5.) If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?

Answer) An immediate turn off at any Church is the presence of what I call "church ladies" (although they're not always ladies per se). People who want to immediately hook you in and sign you up for all the different things they're organizing this summer that you should DEFINITELY go to. The person who's in your face trying to catch you before you get away. Always attractive for me is a strong sense of young adult community, not being overshadowed by an overhanging sense of constant supervision. Something where the 'kids' can be 'kids' and discuss things at their leisure. Youth groups with cool youth leaders who feel more like "one of the kids" while still getting stuff done. That sort of thing.

6.) What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?

Answer) Again, I'm not the best person to tell a pastor what to do from a believer's perspective. Allow them to ask questions. Allow their beliefs to be personal; don't try to blend them with the group. Faith is not an answer; it merely stops the questions from being asked.

My response:

I particularly was interested in what Craig had to say about what turned him off to church. It is always an immediate turn off to me when I a m new somewhere to be drowned in invitations to join this and come to that. Craig’s response made me take a look to see if we make people feel comfortable and relaxed when they come into our services. And I think we do a great job of it. By the way we offer a comfortable spot to purchase food and drinks that we allow consumed in the sanctuary, we dim the lighting during worship to give people a personal spot with God and by the free diner and bagels we offer before our Saturday evening and Sunday morning services. I agree that it is incredibly important not shove Jesus at anyone, He is a hand extended to anyone who wants it.