Roaming around the “Twittersphere” (is there such a word as “Twittersphere?”  There is now!) this evening, I received two “Tweets” that seem to articulate the thinking behind “THE WAL-MART PROJECT:”

EssentialChurch (@EssentialChurch)
8/2/10 3:50 PM
Churches that ask, “How can we best relate the unchanging gospel to the shifting culture around us?” are one step closer to relevancy.

Plntng Msnl Chrchs (@plntgmsnlchrchs)
7/27/10 8:45 AM
Christian leaders are realizing that the church does not need to rework its programs. It needs to rediscover its mission.

You might want to keep these two comments in mind as you read over the previous four blog posts.  They certainly are pertinent to some further comments that I received today, two sample which are posted below.

Charles

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Charles:

 Here are my observations/questions/conclusions regarding my trips to Wal-Mart:

 White is not the prominent color of the customers & workers at WM.

                How do we attract Hispanic & black people to UUMC?

                Why would a person of color want to join UUMC?

                What types of programs could UUMC offer?

                Other than custodial, how many people of color do we have on staff/ in leadership at UUMC?

                Who is our passionate UUMC leader that would be willing to take on this task?

 There were lots of people working at WM early Sunday morning.

                What can UUMC do for this group of people?

                Can UUMC reach out to WM and offer services to their employees?        For example, free youth camp slots to children of WM workers.

                Alternate worship hours?

                Day care for WM families?

                Bible studies in the break room?

                Who is our passionate UUMC leader that would be willing to take on this task?

 

The book aisles of WM had a large “Inspirational Material” section.

I can only conclude that WM recognizes and wishes to capitalize on the inspirational needs of its customers.

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Charles,

 My observations…

 My plan was to go to Wal-Mart representing the first worship time, 0800. And actually my son requested to join me on this venture. Anticipating that the Wal-Mart experience began in the parking lot, I stepped out of my car and noted a family of three walking into the store, hand in hand. Their love for each other was so evident. I thought that I would be greeted by someone in the store, no one was there. I observed another couple, the man’s hand caressed the woman’s shoulder. He walking a half-step behind her. The store was peaceful, you could feel it.

 My son asked what would happen if we saw someone from church at Wal-Mart. I responded that, they might be doing the same thing we are. And who did we see? My Sunday School teacher, my son’s godfather, what a blessing. We greeted each other, with a kiss hello, knowing why each of us was there, but not voicing the knowing. I don’t usually look at my Sunday School teacher with such assurance of knowing his and my purpose in our mission.

 I wonder why not…

 As I move up and down the aisles, I notice lonely, lost shoppers with vacant stares. My soul hurts. I see moms shopping with their kids. I see beautifully dressed elderly women, possibly dressed for church. I see others dressed, well, more like me. I see a physically handicapped woman in a motorized wheelchair, angry, purposeful, driven. Yet, her eyes are vacant.

 An amazing experience, I try to not make any assumptions or conclusions, because I cannot remember if I am supposed to yet.

 It is communion Sunday and my son and I are serving. I see physically handicapped people in motorized wheelchairs. I see beautifully dressed elderly women, dressed for church, and others dressed like me. I see moms coming to communion with their children. My soul hurts, as I serve communion to lonely, lost people with vacant stares. I serve communion to friends, who are my church family. I touch them, speak words of “I love you” and give them bread. “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.” I hear my son, “This is the blood of Christ, shed for you.”

 God speaks to me that going to Wal-Mart and observing his children is not much different than serving communion to his children. I am humbled.

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