Every Diner – Churches and Diners

Greetings Dear Reader,

I love diners.  You go in. They greet you, welcome you, and see to your needs within the scope of their purpose.  I was at a local diner with my Son Maxim recently and the server was particularly vibrant.  I was inwardly distracted by some thoughts with which I was wrestling. 

She went out of her way to be kind.  Between that and good conversation with my Son my spirits were much improved.  I made a point of thanking the young lady for her kindness and pointed out that it had benefited me.  She gave me a quick hug and I could see that it had improved her day as well.

We go to diners to meet a need.  It is not just the food.  I always have eggs, bread, bacon, and potatoes in the house.  It is the atmosphere that brings me back to diners.  It is the welcome and attention.  This is what the church should offer.

The spiritual hunger is just as vital if not more so.  People go where they get their needs met.  People return to places that make them feel welcome and valued.  In many aspects churches should be diners.  Church should be a places that welcomes, meets real needs, and provides sustenance for those who come.

It is unique in that those in attendance can be both the server and the served.  We can meet the needs of others whilst getting our needs met as well.  When we fail on either end we damage the “business” we are trying to conduct.   

The vital difference being that it is not a business is primary.  It is life and death.  It is time and eternity.  It should be the one place where people know you and accept you.  It should be the place we are drawn to when we are hungry for God.  It should be the place that fills our cup and nourishes to go into the world.  It should be the place where we are known for who we are and safe to be that person.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name – Gary Portnay

Making your way in the world today

Takes everything you've got;

Taking a break from all your worries

Sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

All those night when you've got no lights,

The check is in the mail;

And your little angel

Hung the cat up by its tail;

And your third fiancé didn't show;

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,

And they're always glad you came;

You want to be where you can see,

Our troubles are all the same;

You want to be where everybody knows your name.

Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee's dead;

The morning's looking bright;

And your shrink ran off to Europe,

And didn't even write;

And your husband wants to be a girl;

Be glad there's one place in the world

Where everybody knows your name,

And they're always glad you came;

You want to go where people know,

People are all the same;

You want to go where everybody knows your name.

Where everybody knows your name,

And they're always glad you came;

Where everybody knows your name,

And they're always glad you came

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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