Several months ago Burger King was in a pickle… and not the kind they put on their burgers. Two employees were caught spitting in a police officer’s hamburger after forensic evidence revealed that there was more than just a special sauce on the whopper. The media had a field day and reports against Burger King came flooding in.

The known incident only occurred at one, lone Burger King in Vancouver, Washington, but I haven’t stepped foot into the fast food franchise since. Why? Because one incident mars any future desire to support the organization.

Whether we realize it or not, one bad interaction or perceived reputation of a place can mar someone from ever stepping foot into an organization.

When speaking about our generation (ages 18-30), one of the main inhibiting factors stopping people from hearing about, receiving from, or interacting with Christianity is the hypocrisy and duality seen from church attendees. But wait, you say. It’s not me. I’m not like that. I am not a Sunday morning Christian. I want to love and engage with people who don’t believe the same things I do.

That’s awesome. But like I said, one incident mars more than we think. Most of this generation has seen people attend church and about 84% of generation has attended church at least once. And for many, they walk out from our sanctuaries knowing more of the things we are against, rather than the things we’re for.

Don’t get me wrong. As Christ’s representatives, we have to hold on and acknowledge that there is a holy Creator who holds us to a standard that exists beyond our finite, cracked lives. Essentially, we are against sin and for righteousness. So yes, I believe all of this should alter who we are and how we think.

But do they sense love from us [those professing to be Christ followers]? Do they see grace in our speech and thoughts of others [grace and truth]? Do they feel accepted in their broken point of life? Whether you are 14, 44, or 84 you have an opportunity to re-present a God who loves us in spite of us. Not just in a pew in a church, but at they gym, in the market, at the office, or in the classroom.

Thoughts, comments, stones to throw? It’s all welcomed.

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