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The first church that Fred Craddock served as pastor was a tiny, rural one near Oak Ridge, TN. During his tenure, the community exploded with laborers brought in to work at the newly developed nuclear plants. The young pastor wanted to attract the workers to his church; there was just one problem.
The church didn’t want them. At all.
Soon after the state of Tennessee became home to the research and development of the country’s first nuclear bomb, Fred Craddock began noticing recreational vehicles, trucks, wagons, and tents dotting the landscape. Since his church was nearby, the young preacher naturally began thinking about reaching out to the workers who’d migrated to the area.
After services one Sunday, he called a meeting of the church’s leadership and presented his plans. “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t think they’d fit in here,” one church member said. “They’re just here temporarily, just construction people. They’ll be leaving pretty soon.” Rev. Craddock countered with another plea to his church, but ran out of time before convincing them of their spiritual obligation. It was decided that they would take a vote on the following Sunday.
At the outset of the meeting one week later, one of the church members said, “I move that in order to be a member of this church, you must own property in the county.” It was quickly seconded and passed.
Years later, that same pastor – now a nationally-renowned preacher – returned to the area with his wife and wanted to show her the church he’d served. The countryside had changed over the years, along with the roads, but Dr. Craddock eventually found the little white building and stopped the car.
The parking lot was full; cars, trucks, and motorcycles surrounded the old structure which now sported a sign that read “BBQ: All You Can Eat.” Unable to resist, the Craddocks walked inside and saw the old pews lining a wall, and the organ pushed into a corner. The space was filled with different sized tables which were filled with people filling themselves on pork and chicken.
Dr. Craddock leaned over to his wife and whispered, “It’s a good thing this isn’t still a church…otherwise, these people couldn’t be in here.”
Who can be a part of your church?
Resource’s Origin:
Craddock Stories by Fred B. Craddock. Chalice Press, 2001, Pages 28-29.
Topics Illustrated Include:
Christians
Church
Evangelism
Great Commission
Pastor
Power
Rules
Selfish
Unloving
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
