Unchurched Friend #3

This is late but I wanted to post it anyway...my friend finally got around to answering my questions! I am glad that he is doing well, so even though they are kind of late he had a good excuse!

This is from one of my old friends that I used to run around with in High School. Needless to say we both got caught up in some pretty negative things! Fortunately, we both made it out...but not without scars and consequences!

Here are his responses to the questions I asked him:

1. What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
Many younger people complain of boredom, don't know how you fix
that. I enjoy the slower pace (hiking, camping, reading, etc.)

2. Are you actively attending any church?
No

3. What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
Environmental concerns, physical/mental well being, senseless
discrimination and violence

4. Why do you think most people don’t attend church?
Can't speak for most people, I personally don't because there are
many different sects and religions and many of them believe their way is the only way, how do you know which is right I feel I have spiritual faith in a higher power but not in a religious sense

5. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
A knowledgeable leader of the church, welcoming and open minded members and overall welcoming atmosphere

6. What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Be open minded and listen well, knowledge of your faith, have a
sincere desire to help people and share the messages of your faith

Unchurched Friend # 2 Interview

The following interview is one that I conducted with an old friend. He is also part of the group of guys that I hung out with and got into trouble with. He is doing much better than many of my old friends though (at least in regards to adding or taking away from the community). His salvation has still not been secured. It does seem however that he has an interest and that he would not be opposed to learning more about God, Christ and salvation. This sounds like a good opportunity for me to come along side of him and be a pastor to him. (I am referring to his answer to number 6!)

I am incredibly excited to see the progress he is making in life. He has ambitions, goals, an dis looking forward at the possibilities that lie ahead of him.

Below is the interview:

1. What do you think is the greatest need in your area?

One major problem in my current area is the quality of highway transportation in and out of the surrounding area. With the improvement of this transportation I feel the area would experience more tourism, more business expansions and draw a more general interest as a whole.

2. Are you actively attending any church?

No

3. What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?

The Presidential Election

Interest rates, Tax rates (Economic State)

Establishment of State Residency (According to Government Statutes)

4. Why do you think most people don’t attend church?

Church and education used to be linked together close enough to where you could have almost considered it to be one. Now with the two distinctly separated, religion is falling farther behind mainly to lack of teachings of religion.

5. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?

Acceptance without belief, one where you are entitled to formulate your own opinion but still be just as much a part of it as anyone else. Also one that’s mass consists not only of the teaching of the bible, but also considers how we live in the 21^st century.

6. What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?

Be open minded of everyone’s beliefs and don’t try to impress your beliefs upon others, rather be more of a guide or adviser, and friend.

Unchurched Friend Interview # 1

Before I believed that I could have a true relationship with the deity in the sky that created the universe, I believed that life was for living and that living was for a good time. Of course, there are many different ideas on what exactly "a good time" means, I believe that I adhered to the more pleasurable side of life...some would even call it hedonism. The means by which I sought this were quite spiritual however, for I began to seek "out of this world experiences" and gained these a number of ways...a few of which being alcohol and drug use.

During this time in my life I associated with individuals who of the same mind and similar purpose of life...to have a good time. The first unchurched friend that I began a dialog with is of this sort and still lives with the same philosophy of life. Although we both hold very different views in contrast to God, the church, faith and matters of spirituality there is much that was learned and this was a true and honest attempt at understanding not only long-held beliefs by my unchurched friend but by my myself 6 years prior.

This is has been our dialog thus far:

1. Has there ever been a time in your life when you believed and or doubted in the existence of a God? Please explain.

don't think i have ever doubted in my life that something exists only who. I am under a firm belief that most if not all organized religion is mad made. it something to help man grasp what he can't comprehend yet. i fully believe in a higher power i just don't know what to call them/it/they/her/he.

2.If there were a God, or if you believe in God or a god; would you think that he/she/it/they wants to be involved in the activities of our lives? If your answer is yes, what would this look like? How would you go about discovering whether or not a God or gods wanted to take part in the personal affairs of humanity?

from what i has seen and personally been through i believe that whoever is up switches and levers is just watching us. to see what we do and what we become... a science experiment of sorts if you must. see there is one thing in all religions that remind the same. Good vs. Evil... it the only factor that everyone can agree on.

3.What are your thoughts about Jesus? Did He exist? Why do you think that so many people insist that He came and that it was necessary? If Jesus did come or even if He did not is He relevant for today? Why or why not?

i believe that story of Jesus is a nice fable. if the man existed he was no god or part of a holy trilogy. he was just a man who cared do much that it gave people around him hope, almost like magic. the catholic church has never really stood very well in my book. in history they have killed more people for the wrong reason then almost all the usa involved war combined and tripled. they have lied and covered up more truths then any dictator in world history. it's the only religion that shames you out of money to simple make a bigger steeple or add another statue of st. jude when in their own book it tells them not to make temples of gold and silver. they are one of the only religions i know of that try to convert people so aggressively that it almost seems insulting at times. i also see more hate, rage, and prejudice come from them then any other people i have seen(accept the Nazis and KKK - those people just hate for reasons they don't even know)

4.What would you say the greatest need in your community is?

Frostburg needs.....hmmmm..... wow, so many needs in such a small area.
i think what it needs the most is a hangout for the younger generations. something guys like us didn't have. a place where they can meet up and not feel like that have to watch out all the time. a place that is going to give them other options then just what’s out there now. a skate park, a pool hall, hell even a malt shop would work....just something so that drugs, drinking, sex, and trouble don't seem like their only options.

5.If you were looking for a church to attend what are some things you would look for?

i would look for a church or temple that reflects it's teachings. a church that gives way more then they receive place of reflection and answers or even guidance. now that I think about it, the best church you will ever find is the one that lays at your feet... when it's time to talk to the man...drop down and talk...i think that would hold more meaning then making it a point to visit a certain place.

6.What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?

I think that he missed this one!

7. When you hear people talking about “the church” or “Christians” or “Christianity” what are you initial “gut reactions”…what are some words you would use to describe your feelings?

usually i try to steer clear of those conversations... Catholics are very hairy to talk to about religion because they as so passionate about blind faith. they don't need proof to be correct. i must admit it makes me happy to see people content and in bliss with the feeling that religion gives them... I just can't help but feel sorry at the same time thinking "what if they are simply being led and that’s the lesson we need to learn"

8. From your personal experience and the experience of others how do you think the church views individuals who do not go to church…and how do they view “lost” people. Do you feel that this is appropriate or inappropriate? How could the church or Christians be better?

i get three types of people in that respect. the kind feels sorry that you will burn in hell but they are very nice and polite about it. the next ones are basically the same but they make it a point not to be nice to the "non-believers". and the last are the ones that have their faith and don't press it on other people. i believe the church would do a lot better if they would be a lot more honest with the world and themselves. they try to censor what they think we don't need to know about and then deny it when it slaps them in the face. i think they should start by following a lot more of their own binding principals in their faith....from what i have read about Christians and Catholics ...they are some of the nicest people on the planet, but most of them never show that side.

Introduction to Unchurched Friend Interviews:

In the following posts you will have the opportunity to view various interviews and interactions with individuals who are considered "unchurched". I have only completed my first one and I am already learning new tricks to open a casual dialog about something important..."finally"!


I am currently in a college level class at a Christian college that is challenging us to dialog with both churched and unchurched about matters of God, faith, and community. Thus far I am thrilled to announce that this challenge has opened the door for open and honest communication about things that are otherwise not talked about...at least between a Christian and a non-Christian!

In the up-coming posts, I will describe my relationship with the individual give some background information in order to put some of their thoughts in context and I might even update each individuals post with current discussion threads and topics of conversation between myself and the individual.

Not only am I excited to begin this process, but I am hoping that I will develop a solid network of unsaved acquaintances that I will have the opportunity, not to save or evangelize, but to dialog with! I believe that it will be from these meaningful conversations about faith or lack thereof that not only will broaden my view of how God and humanity relate to one another but will open the door for them to begin to believe that their might be a God that wants to be involved in the affairs of humanity while at the same time deepen their understanding of how that relationship works!