Posted on 07/24/2004 7:12:11 AM PDT by buckeyesrule
On a hot wing and a prayer
Rick Lamborn says he's called on a mission to study the Bible with singles at Hooters
Cherise M. Williams - Staff
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Some folks actually go for the hot wings. Others go to see girls in hot pants. But about 20 young adults and college students visit Hooters of Kennesaw every Wednesday night for Bible study.
The group is part of Single Focus Atlanta and has been meeting for 3 1/2 years for dinner and to talk about God amid the waitresses in orange short-shorts and tight white tops.
"We've come here because people would be more likely to respond to an invitation when they're comfortable," said group leader Rick Lamborn of the nonprofit organization.
The concept works for Kristin Brooks, a student at Kennesaw State University, after her initial misgivings.
"The first night I was just like, 'Hooters? I hate Hooters.' But after the study I was hooked.
"It's great when you're trying to get to know somebody, and [it's] not one-on-one," she said. In fact, she's been dating a guy for seven months she met at Single Focus.
Walking swiftly and toting a tray with mounds of wings and other appetizers, the blond server leans in to take beverage and food orders. Eyes focus on the menus --- or gaze intently at the waitress's face. Members pass the plates of chicken wings while Lamborn, who is not an ordained minister but feels called by God to lead the group, distributes a handout with Scripture passages and questions designed to spark discussion. Some members thumb through Bibles, but they are not required.
"We try to show them how Scriptures do apply to their lives," Lamborn said. "The question format is an easy way to do outreach . . . and allows everybody to have input."
That's what Nelson Foster had in mind when he established Single Focus Atlanta five years ago, expanding on his son Joel's casual group discussions with college friends. Foster, who was a youth pastor for 20 years, saw the group as a way to help people bring their lives into focus, said Joel Foster, 23, who is active in the group.
His father died in a car accident two years ago on the way to a Bible session at Hooters. But Foster's vision of open discussion and spiritual exploration continues.
Growing membership
At a recent gathering, Lamborn asked his ninth of 23 questions: "How do you see things changing in the next five years?" Charly Woodard, 19, spoke up first. "I see myself working with kids. I don't see myself in Georgia," she said.
Justin Jones turned the question back on Lamborn. "Rick, what do you expect?" Lamborn's answer was simple. "Bills," he said jokingly.
Jones said when he thinks about kids in his future he thinks of having "no more freedom." His thoughts fit with the night's theme --- liberty --- as the group discusses how freedom is affected by changing circumstances in life.
Because Christianity rejects overt sexuality, some nontraditional settings --- such as Hooters --- could make such a group seem hypocritical, said Michael Dash, associate professor at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.
Joel Foster said his father had been criticized by people who felt the group compromised Christian standards.
But membership has grown steadily over the years. Single Focus Atlanta is host to about four weekly gatherings for its 90 members. The Hooters sessions are less focused on the Bible, but in other sessions it is a central element. The group also arranges retreats, ski trips and movie nights. A Web site and newsletter keep members informed.
Nontraditional study
The organization succeeds because people are searching for their spiritual roots in unusual ways, says Bishop Eddie Long, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Drawing them in is the first step.
"One of the things we have lost in the church is that we have to catch the fish before we clean them," he said.
Long explained that, unlike his church of more than 25,000 members, nontraditional Bible study groups are often smaller and offer a more intimate setting where attendees can share and ask questions. Typically, about 6,000 people attend Bible study on Wednesday at New Birth.
"I cannot open the floor for questions," Long said. "It would lose control."
However, Long said it's important to make sure such sessions are being led by the right people.
Outreach ministries
Christians have always tried innovative approaches to reach out. Randall Balmer, a professor at Columbia University, cites the 18th-century English evangelist George Whitefield, who did open-air preaching; the circuit riders (Methodists who rode horses to preach on the frontier); and even the rescue mission of the Salvation Army that reaches out to people in need.
Lamborn says Single Focus acts a bridge between the spiritually curious and the church.
"Getting them into a church is a big part of what we want to do," he said. "If members decided they want to check out a church, group members will suggest several ministries that may be of interest, but we don't encourage one denomination over another."
"We realize that different people worship God in different ways," Foster said.
Woodard --- the most talkative of tonight's group --- was initially reluctant to check the group out.
Her parents had never attended church, so she wasn't familiar with Christianity and didn't study the Bible. Because Single Focus Atlanta doesn't strictly focus on the Bible, Woodard said she feels comfortable sharing her thoughts at the Wednesday sessions.
"It's not like they're pounding God into your head," she said.
you can go to the gty site and listen any time.
http://www.gty.org/
GODSPEED!
I am sorry, but those hooters definitely ain't God's work.
Hehehe... its not the "eye candy" that draws people to Hooters, its the world famous chicken wings. Yeah that goes well with a prayer. LOL
I sure am glad SOMEBODY knows the rules. Thanks for keeping posters straight -- and me too, thanks to the pixs.
;-)
Kind of hard to focus on the Bible (or anything else) at Hooters (see pictures above). Too much "distraction".
Yeah, right. And I suppose you read Playboy for the articles too. :=)
Can you show me where Jesus went and taught in the places of those who did NOT want to follow Him? Yes, He walked among sinners - we are all sinners. The attitude of the hypocritical Pharisees means they were also sinners. But the prostitutes and tax-collectors, etc. who came to Him did so because they no longer wanted to live under the bondage they were living under. If you will note, those people desired to be rid of their old sinful life style and followed Him. Jesus did not go and teach at their tax-collecting booths, or sit in their places of prostitution to attract others. He taught in the Temple and synagogues as well as on the mountain sides, in the boat and so forth. He told them to lay down their life and follow Him. He did not encourage them to keep living a sinful life while pondering who He was, so that they might be "attracted" to Him. He did not chase them, or continue to plead and reason with them when they did not follow.
I think it is very unfortunate that this false idea has become an excuse for believers to encourage those under spiritual bondage to continue in that bondage until they are "comfortable". Jesus did not do this. The gospel is not pleasant to hear except to those who desire to out from under the bondage they are under and who desire to have peace with God. Yes, Jesus very much encouraged all sinners to come and follow Him - but only those who truly desired to repent.
They never said they weren't using the Bible.They deal with questions and real life and then look to see what the Bible says.Not every Bible study involves reading a passage from scripture and discussing it.This approach is probably the best for dealing with a lost person.Change the heart then teach them right and wrong.
A true bible study is about reading the Word as it explains itself and allowing the Holy Spirit to work His way in us. It is the gospel that is the power unto salvation. Reading and teaching scripture will deal with all of life's questions. Otherwise, we risk leading them into a dependence on US, and not the Lord. We are to be discipling others to seek His face and desire and thirst for His Word so that we may have peace and rest with the Lord God. Talking "about" the Word won't necessarily do that, but digging into in and reading it will. Why? Because:
Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
The Word of God is much more able to change their hearts and teach them than we are by trying to placate them.
And looking at fresh scrubbed American lovelies in Hooters uniforms would be a forgivable sin... ;-)
It is not really that complicated.
It is like a "flow chart"
The first rule is " Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
Then, you go to the Commandments. Such as Thou shall not commit adultry (Flip side--would you want to be the one who found out your spouse was committing adultry?)Back to " What would it feel like if someone did it to you?"
Jesus was not accepted by those He was sent to minister to and Save. So, he saved people like Lepers ( OH, MY! UNCLEAN!) The Centurion's Daughter ( REMEMBER: Romans were OCCUPIERS of Israel)and took a Tax Collecter ( the lowest form of life in those days ) as a Disciple.
If I lived close to this Hooter's, I'd go too.
thankyou for your reply,
please join the presidential prayer team.
if you would like free-mail me for some on-line reformed preaching.
GODSPEED!
Hooters isn't really that provocative anymore, either... it's kind of a big joke these days.
I thought it was written in the bylaws somewhere.
I thought it was written in the bylaws somewhere.
Owl_Eagle
”Guns Before Butter.”
Why would anyone want to go to a Bible Study at Hooters? The food is terrible, the waitresses look like prostitutes. It doesn't make sense.
For myself, I'm curious whether this study will bear fruit. It shouldn't take very long to determine whether the approach is valid. Between now and then it's reasonable to reserve judgement of any kind and let the leaders do the work they feel called to do.
Shalom.
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