The Local Church I Attend In Vancouver

The following is an interesting letter to the editor of British Columbia's Christian newspaper which mocks the hospitality the local church I attend in Vancouver is trying to show to our homeless neighbors. A response from the senior pastor was added to the publication:

Letter Entitled: Not Welcome In My Spare Room
So pastor Tim Dickau wants us to hand over our spare bedrooms, the way Chrysostom did - to strangers.

Sure, I'd love to have some crystal meth-crazed, unwashed, stinking guy in my home, complete with the tire iron he uses to smash car windows to get money for crack cocaine.

Obviously, I should come to Dickau's Grandview Calvary Baptist Church to learn how to be a 'real' Christian.

Vancouver's problem is not the homelessness. It's people who say things like: "Loving neighbours is basic to the call of Jesus."

Dickau would think I'm ignoring 'the call of Jesus' if I demand we round up the drug-crazed, mentally deranged homeless and lock them up where they can never get out again. [Published email was signed]

Pastor Tim Dickau responds:
Most of the people we are inviting into our homes are strangers who have become friends over many years, people with whom we have prepared community meals, eaten together, shared stories and laughed with already in our church hall.

Most are trying to get away from drugs, and find that supportive community and housing gives them the stability to do just that.

You are welcome to come on a Thursday night to get to know some of these folks. You might be surprised.


What are your thoughts?