Sunday at the Flora-Bama

"We don't care if you drove here, walked here, or woke up here; you are welcome here".  

I was listening to an episode of Andy Andrews' The Professional Noticer podcast called Church in a Bar (link below). His guest, Ben Ragsdale, was talking about the church he pastors at the Flora-Bama bar, "Worship on the Water," when he said the line. For 14 years, they have been conducting Sunday morning church services at the world-famous Flora-Bama Bar. And it's awesome. I believe that's exactly how Jesus would do it.

"Jesus answered them, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor- sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.'" (Luke 5:31-32)

We need to meet people where they are, not where we want them to be.

Every friend, every stranger, every client, partner, and family member is in a different place- a unique situation, mental state, knowledge base, or position in life. If we want to have any influence at all with them, we must love them enough to connect with them right where they are. Don't just yell, "Hey, over here! Come do business with me!" Nope, go to them with a deep conviction to care, understand, and walk side by side for a while to a new destination.

Our Core Conviction to "Leave People Better For The Encounter" recognizes that everyone is carrying something different and difficult under the surface. Our job is to lighten that burden, not add to it.  

Connect, Inspire, Influence. In that order.  

To be honest, the title caught my attention because of my retirement goal of being a barroom minister. Slinging drinks and Jesus, right where people are.

We don't care if you drove here, walked here, or woke up here; you are welcome here.   

Here is the episode. Check it out: https://youtu.be/Zl4cZ4RDJSQ?si=5ukpAmmZL4oJiPZW