What Really Gets My Panties in a Wad ...

If you're from the United States, you'll recognize it as a routine question asked during polite conversation in the South ...

Where do you go to church?

Actually, the question itself does not bother me in the least.

However ... what really gets my panties in a wad (and excuse the crassness, but it's the only way I can describe my severe agitation) ... is the exchange that occurs after I tell local people that I attend Quest Community Church in Lexington, Kentucky.

Blank stare.

"You do?"

"Yes, and we love it!"

And then comes the statement that grates like nails on a chalkboard:

"Well, but ... that's a seeker church, isn't it?"

Pardon me, but when someone says that to me, it's all I can do to keep myself from punching their lights out.

Why does that offend me? Well ... For one thing, if you're not a church goer, let me explain the dynamic between Christians who attend traditional churches and those who attend churches like Quest.

A "seeker church" is a place where people focus on introducing God to others who have never been to church much in their lives.

But its meaning goes a little deeper than that. See, I have always connected that phrase with Spiritual Snobbery.

What the person really is saying is (not out loud, but implied) ...

"Do you really want to go to a church where most people don't have a clue about the Bible?"

"What if your kid has to go to Sunday School where the other kids might come from homes where they swear? He could hear something he shouldn't."

"Do you want to go to a place where every single sermon is one-dimensional and only focuses on John 3:16? Don't you think you should attend a church where you're challenged to dig into meaty portions of Scripture every week?"

"Seeker churches are filled with people who are very worldly, sometimes even agnostic, maybe even homeless. Why would you go to a place like that?"

"Wouldn't you rather go to a place where you can socialize with other Christians who have been Christians for a while? Why would you want to be around people who are just figuring out their spirituality?"

And on and on.

Do you think I'm being judgmental and hard on people who use the phrase, "Seeker Church?"

Maybe so ... but I know one thing's for sure ... when I tell the locals that our family loves Quest, nine times out of 10, the look I get is highly disapproving.

My question would be ... why wouldn't I go to a church like this?

Why wouldn't I want to be in a place where the Word of God is as fresh as the dew on the grass?

Why wouldn't I attend a place where people are excited -- Snoopy Happy Dance Excited -- about finding freedom and grace?

Why wouldn't I want my child to be around other children from diverse ethnic backgrounds who could use some love and encouragement?

Why wouldn't I want to be in a sanctuary where the Name of Jesus is not only praised but adored and glorified -- loudly and exuberantly -- every single week?

Why wouldn't I want to hang out with newcomers who can't wait for the sermon, who never look at their watches, who linger and prefer to staying over rushing to the line at the nearest Applebee's, whose values are on Spiritual food not their stomachs?

Seeker Church.

For the people who love to use that phrase, my question is ... Why isn't your church that way? And why would you want to go to any other type of place whose goal is anything but expanding the Kingdom?

Am I harsh?

Maybe.

But I just prefer to think of myself as a Seeker-lover.

In fact, I'm a Seeker, too.