Unchurched Friends - Interview #1

Age: 21 years old

Sex: Female

1. Have you ever gone to church before?  If so, where?
1. Answer: Yes, at Jireh Baptist, St. James, and St. Paul's
2. What was it like being a part of that church?
1. Answer: Jireh, she really didn't like it. Didn't feel comfortable. Reminded her of a cult, talked down about other churches including Freedom Valley. Discriminating against other churches. Friendly greeting though.
3. Have you/or friends been involved in serving in ministries anywhere at/for church?  How much did that make a difference for you or your friend?
1. Answer: She never did but it was also offered. She thinks it would have changed her perspective on alot of things. Came up with excuses not to go. More into Native American religion. Doesn't really believe a lot of our church life. It's confusing to her and to perplexed. More into Mother Nature. Believe in God but in a different perspective. Mother Nature...it's hard to explain she says.
4. What do you believe churches do well at?
1. Answer: Getting the word across. Interpreting the Bible and applying it into everyday life. Greeting new comers. Reaching out to new people. Some can be very pushy about it though.
5. Why do you think people don't attend church regularly or why don't you?
1. Answer: Right now its because of her job. The way or religion she's into, you don't need to go to a building. You don't have to be there to practice her religion. You can just do it at home. Pray for things and being thankful for what she has.
6. What doesn't make sense to you about Christians?  Do you see a difference from people who have a relationship with God to ones who don't?
1. Answer: Nothing doesn't make sense to her. She just wants there to be respected on both ends. She doesn't really look for it, but if she notices it, the way they talk and respect. She says if you aren't being respectful to hear about others than how can you have a relationship with God.
7. What are your beliefs on church and God?
1. Answer: Her beliefs on church is that she respects it but she doesn't really understand any religions. She thinks God can be very mean. Say, someone is lost or passes. It's because she doesn't understand why certain things happen here on earth. It can be with your consciousness of what you believe. I know I shouldn't do this but I do it anyways.
8. If there was something you could change about church, what would it be?
1. Answer: Certain times. Why can't it be available all the time. You know all day.
9. How is your life going right now and do you think it could be better if you were a disciple of Christ?
1. Answer: Her life is going a lot better now more so than 3 months ago, because of trying to get on the right track, job, relationships. She does the same thing of practice in her Native American way like we are at our church.
10. What do you think churches could do around the community that people would like?
1. Answer: Don't do the door-to-door thing. If people need help, they know there are churches out there. Don't antagonize. Having the resources but not pressuring. 

Response:

Catching Up With An Old Friend

            Wow, after being best friends, almost like sisters since we were in middle school, I never knew that my friend was so different from me.  I mean, I knew we were different people but I didn’t really know much about her beliefs.  My mom and dad practically adopted her as another daughter.  I’ve missed talking to her.

            What I have seen over the years with her is such a growth but not all of it being so good.  There are some things that she does that I would not agree with.  She knows and I’ve told her my opinion on these things, that I don’t want our friendship to be lost over these things.  Sometimes the way she is, worries me, if she’s really doing ok.  She can definitely take care of herself but she and I have gone through a lot together too.  We’ve lost friends, family, etc.  In other ways though, she’s been a huge inspiration to me just because she sticks up for herself.

            Before this interview, I thought that she was a non-practicing Baptist or Lutheran but I was way wrong.  She and another friend of ours (he went to the same Lutheran church as me growing up) but passed away 6 years ago, loved Native American culture, or more so the religion.  She is a practicing Native American.  She’s still very new to it, doesn’t completely know how to explain it but she likes it.  I’m so glad she believes in God.  She says that church doesn’t have to be a building which is very true.  It’s out in nature or anywhere we want it to be.  It’s like relying heavily on Mother Nature.  She doesn’t understand why God let’s bad things happen, such as people dying, our economy is, etc.  Her and I have lost close friends and loved ones due to suicide or cancer.  She doesn’t understand why God didn’t work in their hearts and minds to not reach out more to others for help.  I feel her pain from that but also know and told her God doesn’t want us to suffer, fear or be confused and that I’m praying for her on that.  Churches do great things but that’s not all it is to her.  I know that she is very respectful and open to know and experience other religions and aspects of church but she tended to find an excuse to not do ministry at her one church.  She felt it was very pushy.  In that certain church, they actually called our church a cult or occult.  I’m just so thankful for church in general and people’s faith.  I believe a way I can start reaching her more is by meeting up with her for lunch sometime, talk and pray with her and definitely have her come with me to Freedom Valley.  I know she’d be very open to that if she didn’t have work.  I can’t wait to work on reaching her more.

            I thank God for her every day.  She didn’t have to answer these questions and she did.  Thank you God for the time I had to talk to an old friend and learn more about her beliefs!  Please bless her and I just ask she would live for you first and foremost!  It was a fantastic interview, for me tonight.  Thank you God!