hospitality and the pool
One of the activities I love to hate is swimming. Arlington has great pools that are so convenient. It is one of the things I love about this county. The pool I swim in has a cadre of fiercely loyal denizens. These men are there (early) every morning. They bang out 80-100 laps (way more than me) then afterwards chat it up in the locker room. Yesterday, the place was PACKED. 6 lanes of 5 swimmers. People were grumpy. The post-swim ‘regulars’ chatter centered around ‘how do we get these extra people to go away’? There was no celebration that more people were swimming. There was no delight in welcoming extra folks to the pool. Instead– ‘it’s supposed to get really cold this week, maybe that will keep people away.’ Or ‘I hear they might turn the heat down in the locker rooms, maybe that will discourage new-comers.’
Can’t blame ’em. If I have a set way of doing things… If I love my lane all to myself… Then people get in the way. Restoration worships in a small building. We are new. Many folks will check us out. How do we communicate sheer delight that lots of people have come to hear about Jesus, to be in community, to take our pew and parking space?
January 15, 2009 @ 8:45 am
Hmmmm . . . shall we just dive in?
January 15, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
Thanks Louise! You are the first commenter… In all seriousness, I do think there is a certain element of ‘just going for it’ that I have loved about planting a new church. In order to welcome people well, we can’t hold back. There is a sense of abandon that is very appropriate. We are risking a lot and continually putting ourselves out there.
January 15, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
I know this isn’t fitting with the moral of your tale, but on a purely pragmatic basis, I’ve found that the W&L pool is less used Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. The noon hour is also lightly used, as only a few elderly/military personnel visit then.
Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30 should be avoided at all costs, as water aerobics takes up half the pool. If you show up after 7 p.m. Monday or Wednesday, you might even get an entire lane to yourself. Fridays are light because people are getting ready for weekend fun.
January 16, 2009 @ 8:55 am
Jeff, you are the ever helpful tour guide. Thanks for giving a shout out to all who might be interested in swimming in Arlington. It is these tid-bits that get me so excited that you are a part of our church!! I’ll wave at ya from the slow lane.
January 16, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
From the slow lane? Not likely, I know you’re a solid swimmer! Fast or slow, if you or any other Restoration folks are up for a chlorinated adventure, I’ll be swimming tomorrow (Saturday) morning at W&L starting at 6:30. Just look for the chatty bearded guy.
January 19, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
I just bought fins in Mexico, so I’ll destroy you both with my wicked flippers.
January 20, 2009 @ 12:26 am
Okay, Logan had a great quote yesterday. Just can’t remember the punch line. Basically something like, “Those of us going to RAC are ready to be (missing word…contributors? creators?) no longer just consumers. I think if we remember why we are planting, hold on to that quote and the ache in our heart for people to know Jesus, we will quickly and with glad hearts give up our parking spot to walk farther and our pew spot to stand or sit on the floor (don’t tell the fire marshalls). There will be days we are tired and just need to be loved and fed ourselves. Then we lean on each other, fellow members of the launch team, to bring us back to Jesus for refueling. Just my thoughts…I will probably be the first one to get tired and whiny! Hmmm…at which point I will go hang out downstairs with my fellow 2 year olds. :>
January 20, 2009 @ 5:16 am
Hi you guys– i think Logan said Contributors. I really liked that, too.
January 20, 2009 @ 2:03 pm
Maybe we could play the Steven Curtis Chapman song, “I’m diving in” everyweek. Just a thought.
5 days!
January 20, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
Scott, great idea! I think if we play that song along with the final song from the TFC service Sunday, every week (maybe everyday at home?) we should be good to go!