The following is a repost of one of the most popular posts on this site. I thought of it as I was reflecting on the Christmas story this morning. If there were a parking lot at the manger….
Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas.
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If Jesus built a parking lot for his congregation, he would probably copy one of this spot from a church I recently served.
The property at Cypress Creek is adjacent to our the County Courthouse. That affords the church benefits like: folks leaving the courthouse needing prayer, 24/7 security, & lots of free additional Sunday parking.
But maybe best benefit of all is this parking spot that they get to use (from the County lot).
In all of my travels with executive search work, I have never run across a better reserved spot in a church. For about two years, I parked right next to it every Sunday, and laughed about every time.
I’m tempted to put up signs “reserved for prostitutes,” and another for “sinners,” just to round things out…
Honestly, if Jesus had a parking lot in his church, I believe this sign would be there. There wouldn’t be a sign reserving a spot for the Pastor, or anyone important. There would be a reservation for the unwelcome.
The church is supposed to be a place that doesn’t just tolerate new faces and people with baggage, but actually reserves a place for them. Are you reserving a place for the tax collector in your church? In your heart? Got a better picture that paints the idea? Share it with me and join the conversation.
Great post. I love it!
our church has a mental health facility right next door, and on occasion someone from the facility “escapes” and we go into a “lock-down” until someone sends out an all clear e-mail…
Maybe we go about that all wrong…
great post!
i go to the Barbara Bush Library by your church occasionally. Next time I am over there, I am going to look for this sign. great post.
I love your post! Perfect applications.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by tony morgan, BLAINE HOGAN, WilliamVanderbloemen, cherylmarting, ppaulr and others. ppaulr said: RT @tonymorganlive: A Reservation For the Unwelcome: http://bit.ly/5r6eIE [...]
Hilarious and great post. As a traffic engineer, I am always on the lookout for great signs, and have actually seen this sign before and laughed when leaving services. But I’ve never thought about it in this context before…
Well done sir! I think I’m going to do like almost every good preacher does and steal this for an illustration!
Love it! May many such “despicable sinners” find welcome at Cypress and at my church, too! Lord bless!
Takes one to know one….so I know them, despicable and all. Bless you my friend and CPC Omaha!
Steal away, and pass it on! Seriously Daniel, feel free to use it, and to point people here. An easier way to remember the site is by using http://williamv.tv
Send folks there if you like.
I’ll try and post more things that will be of help to preachers looking around for the illustration. Keep visiting….
Thanks Dustin! Glad to know it’s not just preachers reading the site!
Thanks guys!
Awesome post William! What a great teaching tool for your people… and for all of us!
May that become so true in our churches and “in our hearts” as you reminded me so well in the short post.
I’m saddened lately as I continue to learn of people, even staff (make that especially staff) that are being “asked to leave” because of the tattoos they have, the clothes they where, their creative thinking, and even their weight. I recently heard of man being escorted out by a police officer because he sincerely could not stop laughing at a joke the pastor had told in the message.
Makes me start to think “What does Welcome mean”? Reminds me a little of an older post that prompted a friend of mine to make a cartoon about … http://thirdplaceconsulting.com/2009/05/bartender-in-church-illustrated-2/
Michael Trent
@churchbartender
Looks like an invitation to Matthew’s Party (Matt.9.10). I am ordering the signs now. Great post my friend!
In all the years I was at CCCC I parked behind the Gym building and never even saw that sign. It is so good to see the same thing through someone elses eyes. Thanks for posting this.
Jacqueline Morgan
[...] Loved this post by William – A Reservation For The Unwelcome [...]
You are amazing as always! You find a sermon everywhere! Keep it up.
William , Thanks for your very appropriate obsevation, and thanks for keeping in touch. A very merry, Christ filled Christmas to you and Adrienne and the children . Bud
Love following you and yours. Wishing you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
[...] Loved this post by William – A Reservation For The Unwelcome [...]