Sinner's Prayer Pamphlet

Earlier this evening I was getting ready to heat up some food and was back to reading a bit and jotting some initial thoughts on Sunday's readings. There's a brief knock on the door. Well I've studied from home today, I'm looking a bit like a raggamuffin and am not expecting anyone. Cautiously I creep toward the door, try to peek through the window (but it's up kind of high). I don't see or hear anyone out there. I open the door and peek out. Don't see anyone. Then I see something sticking through the screen door.

It was a Sinner's Prayer pamphlet left for me by someone associated with one of the local Baptist churches.

OK "Sinner's Prayer pamphlet" is not the official title, it's the shortest way to describe the contents. Outline of a guy with head hung a bit low and "Why walk alone" on the front. Inside starts with do you feel alone, like no one cares etc.? There is hope, an answer, a friend etc. Then scripture (Ephesians 1:7, John 14:27, Proverbs 18:24) & prayer instructions with more scripture (Romans 3:23, Hebrews 12:2a, Romans 10:13). It makes me want to go back and read the scriptures in their proper contexts.

First step under "How can you have this forgiveness? How can you know this peace? How can you meet this friend?" is: 1) Admit that you are a sinner and need forgiveness. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 Step 2 is accept what Jesus did for you on the cross and Step 3 is ask Jesus to forgive your sin and save you.

I know this order of things is pretty widely held and practiced, but today I thought about it. God doesn't say I'm going to establish this covenant but before I do you have to admit you're a sinner. God initiates the covenant. I don't recall Jesus telling the disciples that they had to admit they were sinners before they could join him. He simply invited, "follow me" or "come and see" and they responded. The rich young ruler is told to follow the law, to let go of material things that seem to be holding him back and follow. It leaves me wondering why we don't have "follow me" pamphlets instead, and being more appreciative of the "come and see" ad campaign from the national church.

This experience also left me thinking about several things.

At first I was kind of amused, do you know you put that on a priest's door? Maybe they do, hmmm maybe they think I need reminding. :)

I also felt like I had to give some credit for someone being willing to get out there and try and reach out in some fashion.

On the other hand I found myself thinking about evangelism. I wondered that if as a Christian I was a little put off by the approach, what would I think if I practiced no faith tradition, or a different faith tradition and came home to find that on my door? What would I think if someone from a local synagogue or mosque had left me something? Being me, I might actually find it an interesting read, and would shrug it off... thanks but I'm pretty grounded in my faith tradition. Someone else might be more disturbed.

So then it had me thinking about our parish's desire to reach out to seekers and unchurched. We've contemplated some kind of postcard invite to worship around Easter (others say that gets small results, need to consider TV... oh wait, but we didn't inherit Brewster's millions). If doing a large mailing, there'd be no way to know you're inviting Jewish people who attend a local synagogue (or others from different faith traditions) to come celebrate Easter. To me it seems a bit rude - hey we know you don't think this person was the messiah, but we do so why not come celebrate with us? Does it happen so often they look the other way and shrug it off? Would I care if I got a notice about Rosh Hashanah? Again, being me, I'd probably find it interesting and might even consider going. Other's might be disturbed.

Which leads me back to the question: what are our best options for reaching folks without a spiritual home? Many, many people have been working on this question for many years so I can't expect to answer it here. Maybe I'm over-thinking it, making it more complicated than it needs to be. Maybe I shouldn't worry about offending others, but if I don't take them into consideration then it feels like I'm not respecting the dignity of others or loving them.

Am I the only person who thinks about this stuff? In the time I spent reflecting on this just now I could have done a load of laundry. *grin*

Anyway, it was kind of interesting to ponder the pamphlet and it's "sinner" approach since I'd read Will Willimon's thoughts (from Pulpit Resources) on this coming Sunday's Gospel & he says we should be honest that people preferred darkeness to the light, and in Lent turn a searchlight on our lives & be blunt about what we see, like Dr. Phil, rather than distance ourselves by only naming systemic, institutional evils.

So at least the pamphlet folks don't hide from it.

I don't know if that's where I'd start with someone who's seeking. I suppose in some situations it might be as good a place to start as any.

Also to me when approached or worded in this step-by-step fashion it feels a bit more like a vending machine than relationship. Look at menu and select grace & peace. Insert correct prayer. Out pops grace & peace. Pick up your grace & peace and continue on your way.

Okay, long enough.