Ambassador of Holiness

Unchurched Friend: Susan Cohen

Q. Are you actively attending any church? Or do you watch any church programs broadcasted over television?
a. NO but I have been watching the Sunday mass on channel 6 in the mornings (Roman Catholic). And I do watch some of the preachers on channel 48. I tend to relate what they say with some of the doctrines and things that I already know. I feel they have a tendency to be a little eccentric.

Q. What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
a. Sometimes I feel they talk about the same old, same old. Pat Robertson strikes me as a phony more times than not. Some ministers can have a personality that leaves an impression based on some of the illustrations that they bring to the pulpit. Major Dupree loved football and would often relate biblical principles into football terms.

Q. Why do you think most people don't attend church?
a. They don't think its important enough in their lives. They don't make it a high enough priority. But when something goes wrong they're right there on their knees praying "O' God help me…"
b. They don't feel welcome or wanted… people have an inferiority complex where the people of the church have a tendency to judge them before they even know them.

Q. If you were to look for a church to attend, what kind of things would you look for?
a. Easy access… something relatively close.
b. Will the church welcome a single mother who has a Jewish background?
c. The congregation has to be of an age where she would feel that she wouldn't be out of place… (i.e. church congregation may be mostly college kids)
d. Familiarity makes it easier: I know the Salvation Army and I feel comfortable with its people.

Q. What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
a. Get to know their patrons (congregation members). Sometimes the pastors aren't around long enough to get to know their congregation members well enough.
b. Try to treat the members of the church more like a close-knit family rather than a business full of customers. Be more personable with people-don't be afraid to be transparent.
c. Be more involved with the community. Go out and meet people in their community-knock on doors. Try and organize transportation for the community to bring them to services.
d. Maintain an excellent children's program to occupy the kids during after school hours and over the weekends.