How Should A Christian Behave In Public?

Posted on June 26, 2012 by KM Johnson Davis, One of Thousands of Christian Coaches on Noomii.

While sitting in my usual “writing” restaurant the other night, I was a little surprised at what I witnessed… There were two families that entered both of them the same, but also different. It was Sunday evening. The first family came in, and were seated in the back corner(my corner) of the restaurant. The men were dressed in suits, and the women also in suits, and nice dresses. The waiter seated them, and they began to fellowship. It was the typical “after church” dining event that I had witnessed one too many times in my life. You know how we church all day, and at the end of the night no one feels like cooking. So we all trail to the closest restaurant or diner with the “family” pricing. Anyhow, aside from the fact that they had evidently had a good worship service. This group of church folk seemed very well-behaved, and frankly I don’t even remember too much more about them. While they were eating, another family arrives….this one was seated at a booth/table directly in front of me. I knew they were placed there because the two outgoing servers were only going to be replaced by one incoming. I noticed that the older male, whom I pinned to be the father or man-in-charge, began to look around. He had that look on his face, that said, “I don’t want to sit here.” I also noticed that he was surveying the room frantically for a new location. I continued to type and drink my coffee. About 5 minutes later, the man-in-charge, asked the waiter who had finally returned, could they sit elsewhere. Gladly the waiter agreed a proceeded to move three tables together, right next to my booth mind you, in order to accommodate this family. The family moved over and began placing their drink orders. During this time the other church family was finishing up their meal in the corner. I had almost forgotten that they were in the room until I heard sudden laughter in the right-hand corner. Glancing over, I noticed they were jubilantly rejoicing, and recounting the earlier Sunday service. Within minutes, the shift change began. Both servers out, one server in. I tried my best to flag down one of the servers in order to get a refill on my water. After several failed attempts, the new server finally came to my rescue. New customers entered the diner, as old ones filtered out. I toke note that this was the beginning of what looked to be a busy evening for what usually was my “quiet spot.” The corner family began preparing to leave for the evening, and filed to the front counter to settle their bill. I watched as the room began to lose most of its excitement, and fill with a general murmur.
The noise level would continue to go up and down as the man-in-charge, who I came to know as the Pastor, commented on their church service. He spoke about the various events that went on that day. Members passing out, the move of the spirit, and sleeping in the pulpit. I giggled to myself, as my vivid imagination started to picture these events. It was already almost midnight when I realized, along with the Pastor, that I hadn’t really seen my waiter in a while. I began to overhear the Pastor discuss how long it had been.
Honestly, it was taking them rather long to deliver their order. I didn’t worry too much, because I knew they were short staffed. As the Pastor began to look for his missing meals, the level of his voice also began to rise. He mentioned seeing his order in the window, as his wife acknowledge the presence of only one cook. Finally the Pastor got up and walked almost directly into the kitchen as if he were going to serve himself and his family! He was asking for the manager, when the manager arrived. The manager informed him that their order would be out shortly, and apologized for the delay.
As the manager walked back towards the kitchen, the waiter arrived on scene. He was motioned to by the manager who informed him their order was ready. The waiter promptly gathered their meals and began to disburse them. For each plate that was placed in front of one of the church members, notice of a missing or substituted item was voiced. The waiter apologized for not having been the one to take the order, and departed for an immediate correction.
Oddly this just wasn’t good enough for the once joyful group. That is when the complaints began. If it wasn’t one thing, it was definitely the other. I observed as the family and the waiter simultaneously became frustrated and overwhelmed. The Pastor began to demand for the manager, as the wife chimed in the background how they should receive a discount.
Being aware of human nature, I wasn’t the least bit surprised at the following sequence of events. The manager arrived with an apparent attitude, when the Pastor stated the delay, and incorrectness of the order, she merely replied, “OK what do you want me to do?” This statement rightfully annoyed the Pastor, and peaked the situation.
By the time all was said and done. No one wanted their food. Threats were made concerning alerting higher management, and I still am not sure IF they ever received their discount! After the manager and waiter had disappeared, I turned to the Pastor and asked for forgiveness in interfering, but could I make a comment as an observer.
He proceeded to ask if I had seen what had happened, and I replied yes. Unfortunately what I had witnessed was not bad service, but unacceptable Christian behavior. You see I don’t believe in taking sides, but if I ever have to chose, it’s going to be the home team. Team Jesus.
I feel that if we continue to show love to others in situations like these. If we insist on letting our Christian light shine, and if we always chose to be the “bigger” person, then maybe we will find ourselves in the situations less often. I think Christians forget about the “who’s watching” purpose in our job descriptions. We are always being watched by believers and nonbelievers alike.
Notice, the girl sitting behind you on the bus today maybe she has recently decided that the Church is full of hypocrites, and there is no reason for her to physically attend. Especially since she reads her bible and prays religiously(no pun intended!). After witnessing this event, you may have unintentionally proven her point!
As Christians we have to remember that you never know who is watching. GOD uses us to help ourselves and others. There are plenty of times when we find ourselves in a predicament where our actions can determine the choice of another! The sad thing is we may never know it. Nonetheless, I never had the opportunity to say all of this to the “Pastor”. As I began to speak, he immediately cut me off, and concluded with, “this conversation is over here.”
Finding my place back in my booth, typing and drinking my coffee, I decided he was right. What knowledge could I have given to this “powerful man of GOD” that he didn’t already possess?

~KM