From the DMN:
In a twist, Hispanic congregations are beginning to offer services in English, to accommodate second and third generation Hispanics who are more comfortable in that language and to attract Anglos.
LOVE IT! Love it, love it!
I wish we could find more ways to accommodate other cultures, languages, and more.
I wish church was more welcoming of folks rather than trying to force people into believing and acting and behaving just like we do.
Maybe that’s why I love the story of “doubting Thomas” so much.
John 20:24-29:
But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”
But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”
Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”
Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
I don’t believe the disciples shunned Thomas because he doubted. They said, “Hey that’s cool. Just keep hanging out with us. We still love you. Then eight days later Thomas had his own personal experience with Jesus. He had been hanging out with them a full week – even though he didn’t believe in the resurrection like they did.
Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it! – I Cor. 9:19-23
