Does Jesus drink tea?
He’d certainly like you to. The Salvation Army in the West of Scotland is promoting their Army Cup of Tea Strategy. They point out that within a short walk of the average town church in the UK there are likely to be 10,000 people, including:
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1,200 people living alone, of which 580 will be of pensionable age
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1,500 people who talk to their neighbours less then once a week
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50 people who have been divorced within the last year
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375 single parents
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18 pregnant teenagers
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150 recent or contemplated abortions
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250 people who are unemployed
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1,700 people living in low income households
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1,100 people with some kind of mental disorder
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100 bereavements within the last year
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2,700 people living in households without a car
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60 people in a residential care home
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1,280 people caring for a sick, disabled or elderly relative or friend
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2,800 people whohave been victims of crime in the past year
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40 homeless people
- 15 asylum seekers
Quite what all these people are doing hanging around churches, God only knows. Apart from the asylum seekers, obviously. They’re there to nick the lead off the roof.
Anyway, the Salvation Army believes that they should reach out to at least some of these people using a good old cup of tea as the catalyst. And I agree. There’s nothing better than a chat and a cuppa.
Nervous?
Don’t worry. Sally has this covered.
What do I do and say?
Be yourself and be really natural. Think about some things to chat about that you may have in common for example your school-age children or grandchidlren, your work etc. Don’t worry if God or the Army doesn’t come into the conversation - there is plenty of time.What if they want to know about Jesus?
This is great news! Don’t feel you need to go on a theology course just yet! The best way to talk to them is to share your own story, how you got to know about Jesus, what he is to you, also don’t worry about saying ‘I don’t know’ to some of their questions, just let them know you will find out and before you next have an Army Cup of Tea, find out the answer for them.
Ok, so they’re using a good old British cuppa as a means of recruiting people into their fold. Do you know what? I don’t care. They’re making an effort to go out there and talk to people. Ulterior motive or not, reaching out is better than not reaching out.
Maybe if we all started having an Army Cup of Tea with our friends and neighbours, the world might just - just - be a better place.
God bless you all.