I was with the American Baptists at their annual regional gathering Thursday and Friday of last week. It’s always a fun time, especially when I’m able to connect with a few pastors whom I’ve seen over the years and who’ve bought books I’ve recommended. At least one, James Conley, from rural Delta, Colorado, has actually put some of the ideas into practice! (And, he reads this blog on most days, so, hi, James, it was good to visit with you!)

They meet in a different place every year, and this year we were at Central Baptist in the Denver Five Points district, “The Historic Heart of Denver’s African-American Community,” according to a nearby sign. The church building itself was lovely, and their people who worked with us during the Gathering couldn’t have been nicer.

That said, what struck me was that there were four congregations within 50 yards of the intersection of California and 25th streets: Central Baptist, upper left in the picture, our host; Absolute Word Church, using the old sanctuary of Central Baptist, upper right in the picture and on the backside of Central Baptist; Agape Christian Church, lower left; and a map, lower right, showing the locations of Central Baptist, Agape Christian, and Kingdom of Glory Christian Center, across the parking lot from Central Baptist.

I said four churches within 50 yards of that intersection. About 150 yards from the intersection, behind Central Baptist, is a city park where the homeless seem to gather, maybe 50 or more people, mostly white, by the way, the days I was there. Hence signs at the entrances to Central Baptist, too small to be seen in the picture:

No Trespassing

There wasn’t a No Trespassing sign at the Denver Public Library facility also sharing the parking lot with Central Baptist. In fact, it appeared that a lot of homeless were using the computers.

I’ve titled this blog “Observations” for a reason. These are just things I saw. All four churches might be doing all they can for the needy in their vicinity. If I were a leader in one of those churches, I don’t know specifically what I would be doing or encouraging our people to do. But what I saw in the few hours I was there seemed a bit incongruous.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25.34 – 40, ESV)

Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. (James 1.27, MSG)