Weirdos

On Friday night, as I was on the couch watching TV and eating some popcorn with Jeremy some man showed up at our door looking for our prayer meeting. The minute I opened the door, I knew it was trouble.
The discussion went like this:

- man, "is there a pastor here?"
- me, "I am the pastor. Can I help you?"
- man, "Is there a man pastor here?"
- me, "no sir, I'm the pastor here, can I help you?"

He then went on to say how the people that had sent him here had told him about a prayer meeting on Friday nights at our church (which used to happen but has been changed for a few weeks now) and that they told him there was a pastor there. But, they didn't say anything about a woman pastor he said. And, apparently through this little visit he knew what he needed to know about our church and what happens here.

He said, "it's not for nothing I came here tonight. I got the information I needed. I go from church to church and when I see false doctrine in churches I need to correct them. Do you know if there was another prophet to which God revealed himself after the Old Testament? John the Baptist is the last prophet and his words need to be heard by all. I am here to make his words heard. When I see bad practices being taught in churches like women getting their hair cut and wearing jewelery, I have the duty to correct them. If they don't listen, God will punish them as he has punished all those that have chosen to not listen to my teachings before."

Let's just say, not the way you want to spend your Friday night. But, I live in a church. So people can find me, quite easily. Too easily. Anyway... I told the man that if he showed up at my church and tried correcting people that I wouldn't put up with that. So he better be ready for my reaction if he tries doing that. I told myself, he's just another weirdo wanting to cause trouble so I might as well get rid of him now.

As Sunday morning came around I thought for sure he would show up this morning. I warned the board members to be prepared if I kicked someone out this morning. Jeremy even wore his shoes in case he had to bring him outside. I was all ready in case this weirdo showed up.

Growing up in a pastor's home, I have seen my share of weirdos. We always called them like that - people who only look for trouble and think they know what is right. I have almost had my mind made up about how to react with these people. That you should always beware of them and not let them get a feet in the door or else they will attempt to run the show and take over everything.

But, being the doubter that I am, I have to ask myself if that is right? Seriously, should I have closed the door in the man's face or should I have invited him in? Should have I given him a chance to come to church and wait until he does something wrong to correct him? How would have Jesus reacted to him?

I really don't know the answer to this one. It is the conflict between good leadership and grace. Dealing with people is never easy. Dealing with weird people is even harder.