Eats with Sinners

Recently, my wife and I celebrated our one year anniversary at the metropolitan of Indianapolis. Fine dining with the aristocratic proposed many different ideas about life and the church. We strolled along the polluted roads until we stumbled onto what many would refer as the elixir of life. This fastidious establishment known as the Slippery Noodle Inn knows what it means to accept people in all fads of life. This blues club is notorious for their greasy cuisine, smooth cocktails, rich musical taste, and relaxing environment.

The ideation that this place created was remarkable. The retaining wall’s rich texture captured a blackish hue on the brownish stage at sunset. The stage itself shone brilliantly as though made of diamonds, with the outlines of individual pieces of charred wood. But this painted picture was not what created my epiphany.

This establishment undoubtedly serves as a secular communal center. Perhaps initially built to make money, it had been transformed into a mosaic community that has continued for the last decade. Laughter, conversation, and smoke filled the air. The tables were filled with people with remnants of their masks on the floor. Some businessmen, others construction workers, yet all had one thing in common, unity. For a short time, the good news is that they can go to a place without condemnation or judgment. They can leave their bags of burden, shame, and guilt at the door where the bouncer politely keeps them until the last call. The Noodle offered an altruistic-centric approach to ministry. They exploit the people’s yearning to belong to a community.

It seems their motto is shouting, “grab a bottle of port, and allow the music to sooth your soul, while friends and family reunite.” The atmosphere was surreal and inviting. Its common presence facilitated forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding. There is no different in meaning or emphasis between the positive and negative that was happening in the Noodle that evening. But here is the crucial question raised especially by the combination of unity and authenticity. What can the church learn from this environment?

The striking coincidence that convinced me to write this cluster was that I wanted to be a part of their environment. What they offered was inviting. Even the splendor of authenticity under layers of smoke cannot be ignored. The church has forgotten, therefore other establishments have thrived. This is what “church” is supposed to be; where entrances of souls can be easily connected with the Lord and others through authentic living. Maybe it is possible to maintain the religious practices of the Christian people and still collaborate with the relevance of the culture as an expression of God’s will. But, without those disciples who are willing to be radical, how can the church resist the “tradition” acculturation?

Paid in Full