Can the Roadhouse be not just a sweet Patrick Swayze movie but also a place of ministry?
Last week I was meeting with a guy from my church who I am trying to disciple and build up as a leader. He told me a story that has had me smiling ever since.
Down the street from my house there is a place called the Roadhouse Bar and Grill. It is a typical NW Indiana biker joint. It has bands come and play on the weekends with names like Crosstreet and Smokehouse (Where there is smoke there is fire!). I have not had the privilege, as of yet to go into the Roadhouse, but I drive by it numerous times each week and always offer a small prayer for the place. It is the kind of place whose clientele are exactly the kind of people we are trying to reach here at DCC.
Well it just so happens that this guy I am meeting with was in the Roadhouse last week shooting pool with a friend and killing sometime. He is hanging out there and a couple of guys come over to see him, guys that have been coming to our church. They have been coming pretty consistently for the last couple of months to DCC. They are there enjoying a good beer and they are really excited to see this guy because they know him from church. They start talking excitedly to him about the church, and the music which they enjoy and how much they like our church. And there, in the Roadhouse, a bunch of guys start telling people about our church and how much they love it.
I have been smiling ever since because when we are connecting with the Roadhouse, we are living into our mission as a church. I think I am going to stop in the Roadhouse sometime soon and see if I can’t spend some time with our people there. Seems like the kind of place that Jesus would enjoy spending some time.
February 23, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Beautiful! Have a beer with them!
February 23, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Are you trying to get this good Nazarene boy in trouble now!
February 23, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I know a guy who lost his ordination because he was leading a church in a pub and drank beer with his people.
Have one for me, please! Cheers!
I thought of you today as I was on a visionary and prayful drive in Durham. There are churches with the craziest names. You would have enjoyed riding shotgun. It was FUN!
February 24, 2010 at 11:09 am
Great story, Greg! I love hearing about these unorthodox ministry moments. My home church in MD had a pretty tight group of bikers. It was great to see them directing traffic in the parking lot in their leather and tassles on Sunday mornings. They were some of the most active volunteers in the body. Most of them looked pretty rough, but their jackets reflected their faith if one was inclined to look closely.
Strangely, I may have picked up a bike of my own some time ago.
I cruise around southern Spain now.
February 24, 2010 at 2:08 pm
You have a motorcycle? That is strange. Can you fit two infant car seats on the back of that thing or do they go in the side car?
February 27, 2010 at 4:10 am
They sit on the handlebars, one on each hand grip for balance.
February 24, 2010 at 2:58 pm
check out:
http://www.godspeedchurch.com
They are launching next month on Sunday nights and are hosted by Vineyard Lexington, KY
February 26, 2010 at 4:33 pm
That is so cool! Thanks for sharing that, Maggie.