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Remedy for Unchurched
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There are few people who aren’t attracted by the words "free food." That’s how one church group is attracting new faces. Another is by taking their message to some "unchurchy" places like the neighborhood bar. Kim Riemland reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Maryville, Tennessee)
It’s 2 a.m.
Patrons leaving downtown bars in Maryville, Tennessee are met with an unusual offer…
(Volunteer) “Free Krystals.”
…free hamburgers, compliments of The Remedy, a church that believes you have to meet young people halfway.
(Man on street) “There’s gotta be a catch.”
(Church member replies) “There’s not a catch.”
Curt Kaiser, Member, The Remedy United Methodist Church: “It’s not about building up a church and telling everybody ‘Hey, we want you to come here, come listen to us.’ We have to go to them.”
Chris Boyd, Member, The Remedy United Methodist Church: “It makes me think of what a church should be doing.”
The Remedy crew wears T-shirts that say “No Perfect People Allowed.” No preaching or strings attached.
Jason Leith, Local Resident: “I think that was pretty awesome. I think y’all are doing a really great thing right now.”
James Ivens, Local Resident: “If you tell me not to drink, I’ll probably tell you I’m going to drink anyway. But if you tell me to love…hey, I need somebody to tell me to love.”
The Remedy is an offshoot of Fairview United Methodist Church. Sunday morning services are actually held in the afternoon…
(Guitar music, singing)
…rock music takes the place of traditional hymns…all efforts to appeal to a younger crowd.
Jessica Jeter, 22-year-old: “That’s the biggest
problem I’ve had with every church I’ve been to is the age group of 18
to 25, everything stops. And to me, it’s the biggest time when you need
some direction in your life.”
The Remedy draws an average of 50 people on Sunday. But it is what members do the other six days of the week that brings in new faces, according to pastor Jeremy Laduke.
The Rev. Jeremy Laduke: “…going and feeding the homeless or helping single mothers or, doing something in a way that shows young adults we’re not just worried about converting you.”
(Little boy yells) “I got free ice cream!”
The Remedy has offered free ice cream, burgers, and even oil changes to open the lines of communication.
The Rev. Jeremy Laduke, The Remedy: “As Christians, we don’t grow by sitting in pews. We grow once our butt leaves the seat and we get out into the streets and start doing things.”
TAG:
The Remedy recently drew 250 people to a neighborhood
block party that featured free food, games for kids and a hip-hop
concert.
For more information, contact The Remedy at 865-983-2080.
Also, see: Young evangelists reach out at bars, block parties
Posted: September 23, 2009