As consumers we have heard from various sources about particular stores or organizations. And for the most part we have already drawn conclusions, sometimes based on hearsay.
Now what we have concluded may change should we ever have a personal encounter with the store or organization.
For instance, I hear lots of complaints about Wal-Mart. In fact, I even hear some say they would rather pay more and go to Target. Not me. Actually I have no complaints with either store, but then I am not looking for a reason to go to either. However, I prefer low prices.
Before Circuit City went out of business I used to hear how Best Buy had terrible customer service but Circuit City's was excellent. Was one right or wrong? Just depends on who you talk to and what their story was.
The truth is someone may dislike the very store you love. We are different. We have different stories, backgrounds, and desires. What is truly amazing is the fact most people tenaciously hold onto their opinion as if it is fact and can be no other way.
With so many stores and options at least we should be able to purchase what we need. In a similar fashion churches are different. One of my pet peeves is church bashing. Just because one church does not meet someone's expectations does not mean it is incapable of meeting someone else's.
We need all kinds of churches in order to reach all kinds of people. I could list various 'kinds' of churches. I am thankful for Wal-Mart and Target and for different churches. Some churches are more known for their music, others for their kid's program, some their student ministry, and the list goes on.
At New Hope we will probably never be good at ten things, but we can be good at a couple. Some will come as a first time guest and may decide to hang around. Someone else will come and have a different point of view. Probably due to their current needs, background, etc.
At the end of the day there will still be two points of view. Neither is right or wrong, they just are.