Talking to prostitutes

Me: Hey lets invite the new guys to GameNight                                                                                    

Friend: hmmm...we should check with the game organizer to make sure its ok.Me: Ooookaaaay *rolls eyes* (because they must be drug dealers or something *sarcasm*)
Me: (checks with game organizer) Ok she says its good.
Friend: Ok cool.

So I find it annoying when church activities, which are supposed to be outreach based anyways, turn into this exclusive club of "only the chosen few."

I can see MANY things wrong with this picture and I am one of them! I need to step out and say hello to the strangers around me. I see them all the time and yet I barely know them. What kind of Christian am I if I stay inside an "exclusive" group.

STOP BEING SAFE!!!! Be as Jesus was and talk to the prostitutes and thieves.

The above is my facebook status.  I really had to rant about this situation in church today.  The long version of the story is: one of the youth groups at my church is having a game night.  Our teacher who is in charge is really friendly and open to anyone coming.  I know this.  But my friend obviously doesn't.  I want to be nice and invite the new guys who come but whom I've never talked to...I ask her if she wants to go with me when I ask them.  She says, "Um we really should check with Ms. _____."  She says it with such an urgent look in her eye and I think, "Really? You mean we're going to have to go check if its okay to invite some nice guys?  Isn't this what the game night is for?  Bringing people together?"  I go check with our Teacher to appease my friend.  Of course the Teacher says yes.  I had no doubt there.  I'm seriously doubting my friend and what she's been raised to think about ministry in the church.

So I really don't get it.  Do you?

I am really angry, disappointed, and almost a little discouraged.  NO Actually, I am the opposite of discouraged.  This interaction has caused me to be even more friendly and to reach out even more! I need to spend time to get to know the people I've passed by in the halls of my church.  Like I said in the above facebook status, Jesus talked to prostitutes.  Surely we can speak to that new family or even that one lone church attendee. Sit with them during lunch.  Don't let them sit alone.  Discouragement is the best weapon of the devil.  Don't let him get you there! WHO'S WITH ME?