Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

Open hearts, open minds, open doors are nearly akin to those red-lettered sayings of Jesus in our Methodist psyche.  We can rattle off that line faster than our email address.  And for good reason.  If we really mean what we're mouthing, then we're saying a heap.  We're saying that we are generous with our wallets, welcomes, and heart-felt worship.  We are also saying that our minds are open--we can multitask viewpoints, even opinions that don't jibe with ours.  And for two guys pedaling their brains out, open doors means, well, open doors, open church libraries, open accomodations.

Rick and I have put the open doors part to the test.  True, there have been a few OHOMOD churches that have kept the door closed (We're not set up for that  . . . or you can't stay in our church, we might be liable if something happens . . . or no one is around to unlock the door), but for the most part we have been overwhelmingly surprised by all of the open doors that have been opened to us.

Why sure, you and Rick come on over to our church.  In fact, be our guests and enjoy our pig roast on Saturday night.  So when we pulled up to Main Street UMC in North Branch after a terrible, horrible, no good, bad day of flat tires, 50 degree chill, and baptism by sprinkle, splash, and soak from day-long rain, Pastor Phil welcomed us and personally gave us the grand tour of the church.  We have a shower in the women's restroom, he whispered.  So after everyone leaves, have at it. 

And when the hog roast preliminaries began, we felt so welcomed, Rick and I jumped right in and became certified pork pullers, teasing the roasted meat off the bone.  And so the evening went -- eating pulled pork and being welcomed and blessed.

The entire congregation lived and exuded generosity in welcoming the community to their roast.  Way beyond what I'd experienced in other churches.  What's their secret, I wondered.  We're learning to be generous with our lives--that means our building, our wealth, and our time, Pastor Phil responded.  Not bad.

Open hearts, open minds, open doors.