I don't like it, but I have to admit, I've can see where he's coming from. Religion and church leadership were always expected of me because I grew up in the church and my grandfather was often the pastor. It's hard to realized a need for Christ in your life if you've lived that type of life. Those expectations coupled with the self-righteous members (while they are often few, they are a loud minority and do a lot of damage to a baby Christian's walk) along with their intolerance makes it REALLY hard to really see God's love when you grow up in the church. Took me 10 years of running away before I could really see things the way they really were.
Just yesterday I was rehearsing for the service and I came in late. So I forgot to take my hat off. One of the gentlemen who brings his wife walked up to me in the middle of the set and said "Please respect my sanctuary and remove your hat". Now, I didn't PLAN of wearing my hat into church. It wasn't even a disrespectful hat (it was an old fedora). I simply forgot I was wearing it. While I recognize the right of those that are in charge (which he isn't) to simple give me an order, I don't recognize anyone's right to this type of self-righteous behaviour. It's not HIS sanctuary, it's God's. I didn't need to be attacked like this, just reminded. He could have requested, he could have simply motioned to me that I'm still wearing my hat, but he chose to get pompous and rude. Last time I was approached like that, my faith was much weaker and I walked out of a church and did not return to ANY church for 10 years. I was upset for a while, but after breakfast I went back to the music director and explained what happened, and I felt much better about it. Apparently there are other issues going on with this person right now, and I'm not going to hold it against him any longer. But when I think of the damage comments like that can make on a person who is struggling with their identity as a Christian, I'm glad he approached me now and not a year ago...and definitely not someone else.
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