I decided to post a Facebook feed from yesterdays blog post.  The big conversation here is about churches locking their doors.  Should they?  Shouldn’t they?  

There’s not a ‘one size fits all’ answer to this question.  I thought the conversation was a good one though, so I’m sharing it with you.  There are some other good points in here too.  Is your church doing something good in helping the homeless?  If so, please share it here by commenting below.

Original post:

This is a really enlightening look into homelessness. Jody is experiencing it firsthand as a social experiment and is respectfully submitting what struggles she found. I am learning a great deal.

What stood out to me in this blog post (one of a series) was this:

“I’m not at all offended that all the local churches are sending people to an agency that can help. What I do find a bit disturbing is that none of the churches know that much about it and they’re sending me away having no idea whether or not I’ll get help there.”

To look homeless here is to NOT look homeless. | rethinkgood.com

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Me:  This could be changed easily too. :)

  23 hours ago · Like

Person #1:  If she came to our church, she would find the doors locked, but only because we don’t have paid staff at this time, and our Pastor actually works at the Homeless Shelter part-time! Fortunately, we know first-hand (well, second-hand) what the center is about and what it offers. Our Pastor occasionally preaches at the nightly service there, and we got to play/sing at a Benefit for the shelter last month. The Director has spoken at our church, even as recently as last Sunday:) I’m sure we have a unique situation, in that we get to hear our Pastor’s personal anecdotes concerning his job there, not to mention, actually getting hands-on experience with these folks. (who always end up ministering to US too…) Two of the precious gals (who we met at the Benefit) now attend our church!!!

  23 hours ago · Like · 1

Me:  The churches I visited with locked doors clearly had people inside. There were two I visited where the doors were locked, but it was obvious nobody was inside. It’s the ones that have the staff locked inside that doesn’t make sense to me. I’m guessing they don’t want to be bothered by anyone? I know people have work to do, but I don’t understand why they need to be locked in a building. Some of these places had clearly posted office hours. I’m glad your church is an exception. :)

  23 hours ago · Like

Person #1:  I wonder if the churches are locked in response to tragedies like these: http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12263&Itemid=53 

Truett grad/Baptist pastor found dead | www.baptiststandard.com | The Baptist Standard :: The Newsmagazine of Texas Baptists, A 29-year-old Baptis…See More

  23 hours ago · Like

Person #1:  I’m just conjecturing here, but when I was growing up, we didn’t have to lock the doors to our homes, churches, etc. Now, with the proliferation of gangs, drugs (and the thievery and violence that often accompany it) we often don’t feel safe in places that were typically havens of safety and good-will.

Our local state fair is going on this week, and sadly, because of a gang-related incident there last year, (involving a shooting) there will be all kinds of security and curfews etc. Now, for a little background, the town that hosts this fair is known for its tight-knit Dutch Reformed Community, with First, Second, and Third Reformed churches on every corner:) Most little shops in the town play the local Christian radio station for their Muzak, and it is simply known as a religious town. (not to mention a little “Pleasantville” with lawn grass height requirements etc.:) The main headline artists at the Fair are Christian (Chris Tomlin is performing this year, Newsboys last year) with the requisite hard rockers from the past (“Heart” in this case) thrown in . All that to say, where we once felt safety, kinship, and community (homes, churches, local fairs, etc,) we now have to enlist locks, alarms, and even paid personnel to ensure our safety. Perhaps that is why the churches in your community are locked?

BTW, I think what you are doing is fabulous. Thanks for writing about your “adventures.”

  23 hours ago · Edited · Unlike · 2

Person #1:  Of course, now you’ve got me all curious as to whether or not this is the reason they lock their doors. LOL. I would love to have a way to ask them!

  22 hours ago · Like · 1

Me:  I think that’s a good question to ask. I guess my first thought to reading your tragedy response was thinking about going to a movie yesterday. I never once was worried we would be victims of a mass shooting. I still went to a movie and so did lots of others. I didn’t see any visible security, although there may have been undercover. This is a great topic. In chaos and worry of bad things happening, are churches the first to lock their doors? I’m curious now too. Why all the security? I saw many churches with an office reception area that wasn’t locked, but the internal areas were. Interesting. I’ll have to do a little research here. :)

  22 hours ago · Like · 1

Person #1:  Jody, I’ve been wary of movie theaters since learning of Abraham Lincoln’s fate when I was in grade school. Strange, I know. Don’t get me started about my bathtub experiences after seeing “Jaws.” (My dad kept assuring me that sharks would NOT fit through the pipes….)

  22 hours ago · Like · 2

Person #2:  there are lots of safety and insurance issues at play. I’ve been actively ministering long enough to have seen a lot of the changes and most of them sadden me greatly. Insurance companies dictate a lot of how the building is used, who gets keys and why. I hate that part. Churches should be open places but as they have become less respected as institutions, they have lost a lot of the protection that came from that respect (otherwise known as fear of God). I’m very thankful that a church in Denton is addressing some of those issues and finding creative ways of reaching out and am wanting to be active, even though I don’t attend there anymore.

  22 hours ago · Edited · Like

Person #2:  BTW, the laundry idea is the most fabulous thing I’ve heard in a while. You have also reminded me that I need to get over to DBC’s program and know where I’m sending people. We had a homeless girl come to our recovery program one night, I was appalled to learn we were not prepared to deal with her at all. I did give her specific instructions on how to get to Vision (DBC’s ministry), addresses, and money for gas but I didn’t know what to tell her to expect. It is an awful feeling to see someone in so much pain and have nothing but a few cookies and cash for her. And yet that was a month ago and I didn’t change anything. I’m so glad you reminded me that *I* can do something different, even if the church can’t.

  22 hours ago · Unlike · 1

Me:   Would anyone here mind if I blog this feed without names? This is really good conversation!!!

  13 hours ago · Like · 2

Person #2:  I’m ok with that.

  13 hours ago · Like

Person #3 (from a different feed):  Amazing. Our church does refer homeless to the Food Co-op. We also have Grace bags ready to give them that have personal care items, bus tokens, and a couple of immediate food items to carry them over until they get there. I carry a Grace bag and a blanket in my car to give to homeless individuals I see who are asking for help.

  2 hours ago · Like

Please share any thoughts or ideas on this topic.  I think we can all learn a lot from each other.