Interview Number Three

Interview with Tom:

#1 What do you think is the greatest need in your area?
the greatest need in my area is more compassion, people need to learn to love others.

#2 Are you actively attending any church?
no

#3 What are a few issues/topics that interest you?
World Hunger, Pollution and other issues that deal with the globe as a whole

#4 Why do you think most people don't attend church?
Because they're treated like crap by people in the church and even by church leaders when the people realize they don't believe like they do. Also outsiders feel like the church has alot of rules that everyone must follow and its a big turn-off to people.

#5 If you were to look for a church what things would you look for?
Messages/sermons, powerful music (worship), and also I believe there should be prayer time where people can express themselves with God without limits.

#6 What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful?
Don't be so hard on people that aren't living the way you think they should be, and when someone talks to you about their spiritual life listen to their words and if they dont wanna hear what you have to say don't keep pushing your words on them because they won't listen.

My thoughts: I found alot of Tom's comments to be very wise and defintely echoing the comments and advice from some of my other interviews. Generally the non-churched world doesn't want to be hit over the head with a Bible, they want to be encouraged, and loved. I would add however that pastors can't go to the other extreme and enver stand by biblical principals and morality. It is a balance that must occur. Above all, we should love and I think Tom's comments defintely place emphasis on that.