A New Church Forming At The Motel?

I think I have mentioned what is happening at the Farrington Inn in nearly every eNews I have sent in the past 6 months. But I must speak about it again; cool things are happening there!

This past week Reneh, Bruce, Joann and I sat in a circle, Bruce and Joann on the door step facing the street, Reneh and I in chairs on the sidewalk. We began our time together by asking what was new with everyone. “How’s the job search going? How are you feeling? How’s your family doing?” Our time is at ease. No rush. No time limit I have to be gone by, generally. We sit. We talk. We then get to the chosen passage for the day. Last week it was John 8- Jesus with the adulterous woman.

Great conversation ensued from here: “Where’s the adulterous guy in all of this?!” “Do you think she ever returned to her adultery after she met Jesus?” “What’s the best way to respond to grace?” “Are you anything like this woman…the Pharisees?” It was a great conversation.

Then came the off topic questions which can be expected from beginners to the Bible. I try to handle them briefly. I try not to dive into new topics quickly. Their questions are good and they inform me of what is really going on inside of them. But I have learned that it does no good to talk much about Avenue Q until you have driven on Avenues A-P first. “I heard the Bible says women are unclean when they have their period. It’s not their fault. What’s up with that?” “Whoa!” I said to myself, another day, another time! You can imagine how confusing that conversation might be if I tried to answer it. It was humorous!

But then came the best part of the day. Our discussion was through. Our hearts were lifted with thoughts of Jesus and I asked what we could pray about together. Reneh shared. Bruce shared. Joann shared. I even shared. Then as Joann was sharing her struggles Bruce offered comfort. Reneh offered understanding. I listened. Voicing the difficultly of having absolutely no family around Bruce replied to Joann, “Well you got us”. Joann leaned her head toward Bruce and innocently kissed his shoulder as if to say, “Thank you, I know”. Then we prayed.

I left there last Thursday thinking, “Once they decide to marry Jesus in baptism we have a new church at the motel! Praise the Lord. It’s a church that shares together, prays together, cries together, reads God’s Word together and together watches the Lord move among them and reach others.”

I am learning that this group at the motel may never attend BCC’s Sunday gatherings (although I desire they do, and keep inviting!). But they can still be the church together, where they are, under proper shepherding and move on from their temporary residences to build life around Jesus with other Christians.

Please continue to pray for this small group of people residing in a motel. May they choose Jesus soon.

Shaun