New pastor introduces himself

[Messy]

Pastor Jeremiah Steepek (pictured below) transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. I'ts something you live by and share with others.

 

[MikeBigg]

My oh my - I like to think in the little church I go to we'd be different to that church, but actually, I'm not sure.

Great way to introduce yourself, though.

 

[Beth-Zur]

Powerful. Very powerful. Love, unconditional, should be the default that we all aim/strive for. Peace.

 

[Always in His Presence]

Good lesson, but the picture is of a homeless man in England, and there is no record of a Pastor by that name.

It's an urban legend.

I love to see it happen though.

 

[K2K]

Being a Christian is more than something you claim. I'ts something you live by and share with others.

Being a Christian is not : "something you live by and share with others"!!!!!

Being a Christian is "someone" you live by and share with others!!!

Jesus Christ is the way to righteousness, and we can talk with Him, listen to Him, and let Him guide us!!

God would have know if a pastor dressed up pretenting to be a homeless man!!

So a few of questions, if you please:

Did the pastor get his instructions from God? Is that why he did it?

Were the people going to church getting their information and instructions from God?

And finially, are we Christians trying to be righteus by leaning on our understanding, thus preaching that Christianity is "something you live by", or are we each seeking the voice of our "Lord" to find out what to do and how to act through out the day?

Of course if you want any of the above questions answered truthfully, you will have to ask the Lord yourself. And if you start doing that then, Christianity will then be, "someone" you live by and share with others!!!

 

[Tobias]

I really don't like deception. I wish this was a true story, because I'd like to know how a new pastor could recover from such a stunt like this to be trusted by his congregation as their leader.


Most churches have programs for the homeless. As do most cities, counties, and states. Why anybody happens to be homeless is probably a choice. Often they are simply people who choose to say they are homeless so they can get your charity.

As a missionary kid I was taught not to give to beggars. We couldn't afford to support the entire city, and giving to the poor was not our purpose for being there. In Jesus' time the poor were in fact, really poor. They were people dying on the streets because nobody would give them anything. The rich ate their fill while the unfortunate ones died outside their doors for lack of bread. The sin of being rich we sometimes infer from the scriptures is because to do so, you do it at the expense of the lives dying all around you.

But today being poor is an industry. Some people would rather beg than work a job, and make more money pretending to be "homeless" than they would working.

 

[Messy]

Good lesson, but the picture is of a homeless man in England, and there is no record of a Pastor by that name.

It's an urban legend.

I love to see it happen though.

Really?
Oh, yes:
The Tale of Pastor Jeremiah Steepek and the Homeless Man

Sorry, I thought it was real. Someone put it on facebook.

 

[Messy]

It was based on this:
Tenn. pastor goes undercover as homeless man for week | wbir.com

 

[mrhappy3]

LOL I told my boss about it. should have checked ! would have loved it to to be true...but I have heard similar....in fact I think my mate done it once...on a MUCH smaller scale....he was an invited speaker. YES he did !

 

[Messy]

Some people would rather beg than work a job, and make more money pretending to be "homeless" than they would working.

Not everyone who's homeless chooses for this life, read this, this is not a hoax:

Tenn. pastor goes undercover as homeless man for week | wbir.com

By the way, how much can a psychiatric patient or drugaddict really choose anyway? I know a church here in Holland that helps them and has homes for them.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

I really don't like deception. I wish this was a true story, because I'd like to know how a new pastor could recover from such a stunt like this to be trusted by his congregation as their leader.


Most churches have programs for the homeless. As do most cities, counties, and states. Why anybody happens to be homeless is probably a choice. Often they are simply people who choose to say they are homeless so they can get your charity.

As a missionary kid I was taught not to give to beggars. We couldn't afford to support the entire city, and giving to the poor was not our purpose for being there. In Jesus' time the poor were in fact, really poor. They were people dying on the streets because nobody would give them anything. The rich ate their fill while the unfortunate ones died outside their doors for lack of bread. The sin of being rich we sometimes infer from the scriptures is because to do so, you do it at the expense of the lives dying all around you.

But today being poor is an industry. Some people would rather beg than work a job, and make more money pretending to be "homeless" than they would working.

Judging by your response you would be one of the many who shunned this man, true story or not. The scripture quoted is real though and believe that when you want to tell someone less fortunate than yourself to get lost by your actions (1 John 3:17-19)

 

[Tobias]

Judging by your response you would be one of the many who shunned this man, true story or not. The scripture quoted is real though and believe that when you want to tell someone less fortunate than yourself to get lost by your actions (1 John 3:17-19)

Yes, hopefully I would have the discernment to properly judge this man as a fake asking for money when he didn't really need it!


One of the reasons for church programs is the discernment factor. People in charge of these ministries are hopefully the types that can discern the need, and hold the recipients of the church's charity accountable.

Those who beg on the streets typically don't like the system of accountability. As in the case a friend of mine once saw, the "homeless" guy walked around the corner after another profitable day of panhandling, got in his BMW and drove away!


There is plenty of food and shelter for every person who wants it. People who beg typically do so do so for illegal drugs and alcohol, stuff you can't get for free at the homeless shelters. (Though I do admit, there are some honest people who are down and out from time to time. More often than not, they could use a friend to take them to a shelter or help them get government assistance, rather than the handful of spare change they are asking for.)

 

[The Unforgettable Fire]

Pastor Jeremiah Steepek (pictured below) transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. I'ts something you live by and share with others.

I have heard this story circulated many times. Here is the thing though. The response that pastor gave to being rejected was one of condemnation. When the true King was rejected and reviled by men though, He forgave them and died for them.

Often pastors tend to enjoy self righteously pointing out the weaknesses of their congregation. This is not being Christ like though.

The Christ like response would be, it's Ok, you are loved and accepted. As dear children of God then, let this be an encouragement to you to go share that same love with those around you.

 

[Tobias]

Pastor Jeremiah Steepek (pictured below) transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

You know, the very first thing that came to mind as I read this was; "Wasn't the Heathen god Odin known for doing this very same type of thing?" He would dress as an old man and visit the people to test them and see what they had to say.

Far be it from me to cry "Pagan!!!" at the drop of a hat, but I honestly can't see anything "Christian" about the actions of the preacher in this story.

 

[Messy]

There is plenty of food and shelter for every person who wants it. People who beg typically do so do so for illegal drugs and alcohol, stuff you can't get for free at the homeless shelters. (Though I do admit, there are some honest people who are down and out from time to time. More often than not, they could use a friend to take them to a shelter or help them get government assistance, rather than the handful of spare change they are asking for.)

I used to always give money, I bought their 'homeless people paper', but in it I read that they used the money they got for drugs, so since then I don't give that often, better give some food then. I offered one food and he got angry. So discernment is a good thing and they must be helped otherwise indeed then by getting some euro's. Our church is going to help people now, some come from the streets, drugaddicts, psychological problems etc. There's a christian woman who practically helps them, she got a buiding which was from the government, they can also live there. Also people with debts, families. She gets money from the insurance company to help them, it's her job and now she asked our pastor (we only have a very small homegroup) if he can start a church there for those people and train her and her team, because she can't help them spiritually.

 

[like eagleswings]

be as wise as serpents but harmless as doves.

I been homeless,a few times. I got out of it because I was mentaly able to , and help from God. some are not able to,and some just will never get in the system,they just unable to. or they don't want to,some don't like living in four walls.they need a lot of help,and I know a church that is special in that regard,its perfect to help really neady people,who need a family,care,uplifting,support,healing,a home.
only a communitie church can do that mostly. that's the best place.
I don't give money out, I offer to buy them food,or take them to café,have a chat.
reaching the homless is demanding, you have to be genuine,you have to befriend them. have a laff whith them.
I could say a lot , but I think most on here,know what I mean.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

The point I was trying to make is that it goes way beyond just giving money to a "homeless" person. It's an attitude of the heart that refuses to humble itself to the point of assisting those who are worse off than ourselves. Irregardless of perceptions of this person isn't really homeless or whatever, that is crazy talk that a person who has the love of God in them would refuse to even have compassion enough on a person living on the streets to want to help.

If you can't help because you don't have the money that is an entirely different matter, but those who have the money or resources (because once again it's not about the money but about the heart) to help and just do not do so because you don't want to contribute to some low life's pension or whatever, then that is something really.... Well let's just say that is an attitude a Pharisee in Jesus' day would have taken: Luke 18:9-14, "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Or one that the priest or Levite would have taken in the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10.

It's between you and God, but I am simply appalled that anyone, well any Christian, would dare to snub their nose at lower society. Then again it shouldn't surprise me. Unfortunately

 

[Tobias]

The point I was trying to make is that it goes way beyond just giving money to a "homeless" person. It's an attitude of the heart that refuses to humble itself to the point of assisting those who are worse off than ourselves. Irregardless of perceptions of this person isn't really homeless or whatever, that is crazy talk that a person who has the love of God in them would refuse to even have compassion enough on a person living on the streets to want to help.

If you can't help because you don't have the money that is an entirely different matter, but those who have the money or resources (because once again it's not about the money but about the heart) to help and just do not do so because you don't want to contribute to some low life's pension or whatever, then that is something really.... Well let's just say that is an attitude a Pharisee in Jesus' day would have taken: Luke 18:9-14, "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Or one that the priest or Levite would have taken in the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10.

It's between you and God, but I am simply appalled that anyone, well any Christian, would dare to snub their nose at lower society. Then again it shouldn't surprise me. Unfortunately

Well, this is probably a good example of why we're told not to judge each other.


I personally would like nothing better than for it to be simple to fulfill my biblical obligation in giving to the poor. To be able to read a scripture and go outside and just do it; there's nothing better than that, right?

However, the "poor" now days are nothing like the poor mentioned in the Bible. I know. I'm a missionary kid, and I know what true poverty looks like! People in America whine and cry about having "nothing", but they have no idea what that word really means.

I don't generally snub my nose at people from a lower class of society than myself. I'm not really sure there is a lower class, except possibly in the misallocation of funds and squandering of opportunities.

But I'm aware that I do have issues with the panhandlers. Why? Because I hate deception. Those that lie about their need and try to make a living off of Christian charity, are robbing me of the satisfaction I could be getting from giving to the poor people on the streets who really truly do need help. I honestly can't tell the difference, so I choose not to feed the monster.

So, there's my confession. I also react to Christians who try to make me feel guilty by quoting scriptures that don't really apply to our situation, but to the poor back in Jesus' time. But you know, even back then the early Church set up deacons just for this purpose, to oversee the feeding of the widows and orphans. So even with them they knew there was a better way to do things than just hand out money endlessly to those who beg.

 

[Tenebrae]

Have you ever read the book "Under the overpass" forget the author, but its a very amazing account of a young christian bloke who decided to see what it would be like being homeless, and lived on the streets of the US for five months (I think)

Very powerful true read

Good lesson, but the picture is of a homeless man in England, and there is no record of a Pastor by that name.

It's an urban legend.

I love to see it happen though.