We need a makeover

I had a second interview today with Urban Accents, which went really well. It went so well, in fact, that I just got a call saying they would like to offer me the position. Super cool. Just to not be too hasty, I'm taking the weekend to really think it over and make certain it's the right place for me. Anyway, that being said, it was interesting being in the interview. As I was sitting there chatting it up, a little ways into the interview, something came up. The guy said to me, "I think it's really great that you're so involved in your church. And you talked about your old job and mentioned Christian values and morals. We don't really run by Christian values, but we are about treating people the right way and living by standards that are good and right. So, I just have to ask...the two owners of the company are gay. Do you have a problem with that?" My immediate reaction was to bust out laughing! No, of course I don't have a problem with that. I don't have a problem with people and the lifestyle they choose to live. I don't agree with the lifestyles necessarily, but I'm not going to damn someone or judge someone because of it. However, then I got a little bit sad. Really, what is this saying about the way Christians are perceived. Apparently to the "outsider", we are very judgemental and only accepting of people who are like us; of other Christians. This makes me a little sick to my stomach. If we are claiming to be Christians, and living as Jesus lives, then aren't the non-Christians exactly the people we should be loving the most? Shouldn't we be respectful of people's decisions. It's not me who is going to change someones heart. It's Jesus. And how can anyone see Jesus through me if I'm not living out a life that loves and cares for sinners like myself? I think the Church needs a bit of a makeover. We need to do something that changes the way people see us. We are supposed to love. And I'm saddened by the fact that we are viewed as being so elitist. Too bad there isn't a What Not To Wear-Church Addition. Let's take the ugliness, the elitist attitudes, and general rudeness out of our churches, and send them to the trash. I'd like to upgrade our wardrobe to one that looks more like love, patience, peace, and kindness- that's more stylish if you ask me.