Looking into the light
Yesterday I had a dental check-up, for the first time in 15 years. It wasn't that I was avoiding going to see a dentist, I've only now become eligible for a dental plan, and I hadn't had any problems with my teeth until just before the wedding. I wouldn't have gone in either, but a toothache was starting to really bother me, and Ana didn't want to hear me complain about it anymore, so I made an appointment. At the first appointment, I was told that I had started grinding my teeth at night and it was pushing one of my wisdom teeth into a nerve and I was given some anti-inflammatories to bring the swelling down. Problem solved. While I was in there, they convinced me to come back for a more thorough check-up, which was yesterday.

I wasn't particularly looking forward to going. I don't mind the poking and prodding or the time inconvenience. What I most wanted to avoid was the lecture and guilt trip about dental hygiene. Now, I'll admit I'm not exactly the poster boy for dental hygiene, and I don't have the whitest of smiles. That does not mean however that I can be subjected to a guilt trip by some over educated "doctor".

As a pastor, I started to wonder if this is how people feel about going to church. This isn't a new simile, and I know others have made similar comparisons before. People don't want to come to church, no matter how comfy the seats, if it means they'll be told that their life's priorities are all screwed up.

As it turns out, despite my 15 year hiatus from dental supervision, I was doing quite well: minimal wear on my gums, no cavities, wisdom teeth grown in, and everything in relatively good order. People weren't condescending or judgmental. When they spoke about things I didn't understand and I asked for clarification, they repeated it so I'd get it. Sure they wanted me to come back and give them more money, but they made a good point about why I should. All in all, it was a rather pleasant experience, even though I still had to pay for it, benefit package pending.

So the question is whether or not a church should be expected to duplicate that experience. I didn't leave the office with any increased motivation to improve my dental hygiene. When I have dental issues again, I'll go to that office. If we run our church like that, would we just get a bunch of people who prefer us because they feel more comfortable with us, than they do at other churches? Is that what we really want? Still, I think there is something that can be learned from this exchange. If people's fears are fulfilled when they walk in the door, they won't come back.

   [ posted by William @ 2:39 PM ]