Living Behind The Gates
POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Church, Makes You Think
This past Friday we had some new friends over for dinner. After dinner the conversation turned to church (since he works at one and I’m starting one) and how easy it is for us to get wrapped up “church life” that we lose touch with the “real world.” It reminded me of something I read a couple of months ago that has stuck with me.
Greg Garcia, writer/producer for the popular NBC comedy My Name Is Earl, wanted to get “back in touch” with the viewers of America. During the 3-month writers strike this past year he took a job at a fast-food restaurant, never letting on to his fellow employees – or anyone else – that he was an Emmy-winning writer/producer.
As a cashier and occasional janitor, Greg spent the month of January rubbing elbows with the real world. Why would he do it? His response is insightful:
It’s just about the fact that we live behind the gates and work behind the gates. As a writer you start to lose touch with your audience…you start running out of life experience.
If you work at or serve in a church, what are you doing to intentionally come out from “behind the gates” and develop “life experience?”
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December 15, 2008
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Great post. Yes, I think we live in the bubble (er, behind the gates) too much. Celebrities get criticized but we are just as bad about losing touch.
I’ll never forget seeing a clip of Oprah pumping gas for the first time (she said) in 20 years! Wha? She didn’t recall ‘how’ to do it either. I should turn the tables on myself here and where I’ve lost touch.
Great food-for-thought Ruggles.
Terrace Crawford’s last blog post..Borderline Coveting
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December 15, 2008
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Really cool Brad.
Not sure that I do anything to come out from my bubble but this lets me know that maybe I should more often.
I am guilty of confusing volunteerism with connecting outside my bubble when in reality at some point I need to experience it. Helping out for a day, although nice, does not create the pain needed to sometimes understand.
Joseph’s last blog post..10 Dont’s For A Politically Correct Holiday Season
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December 15, 2008
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I am a former pastor, I am taking a break after 7 years in full time ministry. I am now a trucker and have to say that I love the change.
I can honestly tell you that I have done more ministry in the last year and a half then I ever did in a year as a pastor.
When I go back into the ministry, I can’t see my self being a pastor and not holding some form of a job in the “real” world, otherwise “touch with your audience…you start running out of life experience.”
themisfit’s last blog post..The Big 3
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December 15, 2008
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I am forever grateful for the nearly two years I spent doing PR in between stints in ministry. It radically shifted my view of ministry, work, people, and the call of God on people’s lives. We must constantly look to those outside of our world to tell us their hope, fears, stresses and views of family, ministry and work.
Great post!
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December 19, 2008
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Great post Brad and and even greater question to ask those who serve or work at a church what they are doing to get out from behind the gates!
For myself, as a lay person who teaches youth Sunday School and Christian blogger, I have found myself more times than I care to admit becoming a victim of worshiping the “practice” of church and losing sight of the reason I am there and the reason I serve. Jesus.
When I find that some of the joy has gone out of my life and I am looking at things from inside of the church, I ask the Father to help me find my way back and to change my perspective. To challenge me and get me out of my comfort zone so I can grow. I have to make the choice to fight my way back.
Satan does not want us to fight our way back. He wants us to stay on the spiritual couch, in our comfort zone dressed in pj’s eating our favorite breakfast cereal not challenged and oblivious to those in need around us. His greatest joy is for a Christian to be ineffective and not grow up into what God dreams them to be.
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December 19, 2008
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wow. what a great paradigm-shifting challenge.
i need to think about this…
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December 20, 2008
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[...] Brad’s wondering if we’re doing anything to stay in touch with the “real worldR… [...]
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December 20, 2008
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Brad very insightful post.
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