#147 – The Most Christian Thing Ever

Last night I did the most Christian thing I’ve ever done.

I played Settlers of Catan at Chick-fil-A.

Some might suggest that feeding the poor or going on a mission trip are far more Christian. Those activities are far more like Jesus. But there aren’t a lot of activities that are more Christian than playing Catan at Chick-fil-A. However, below are some activities that come close. 

“We Love Jesus” Chant at Harvest Crusade

Harvest Crusades are outreach events held all throughout the world. Every year in southern California, Harvest Crusade takes over Angel Stadium in August and the gospel is preached to thousands of people. Along with the Christian speakers, there are Christian bands that perform for a stadium filled with a lot of Christians who have brought their non-Christian friends. I’ve gone to Harvest Crusade a number of times. Every time, without fail, before the event gets started, groups of excited Christians will begin the “We love Jesus, yes we do. We love Jesus, how ‘bout you?” chant. What is more Christian than a bunch of Christians at a Christian event encouraging other Christians to express their love for Jesus? It would be like a bunch of people chanting “We think Greedo shot first, yes we do. We think Greedo shot first, how ‘bout you?” at a Star Wars convention. The “We Love Jesus” chant also meets the Christian need for boasting because the group that cheers the loudest obviously loves Jesus the most.

Wearing a Christian T-Shirt to a Christian Conference

I’ve already shared some thoughts on Christian t-shirts. Christian t-shirts are literally a way to wear your faith on your sleeve. What better way for people to think about Jesus than to see his name written in the Coca-Cola script across a red t-shirt? Wearing a Christian t-shirt at a Christian conference would be like wearing a team’s jersey to their home game. That conference would just be a bunch of Christians walking around, high fiving each other and saying, “Dude, I totally dig Jesus and have him on my shirt, too!”

Leaving a Tract instead of a Tip for Easter Brunch 

There are a lot of negative stereotypes of Christians. Some of these are undeserved because they were formed based upon the actions of small, yet highly publicized, minorities. However, the stereotype that Christians are bad tippers has most likely been earned Sunday lunch after Sunday lunch. And what could be more Christian than leaving a Christian tract instead of a tip on Easter Sunday? Well, lots of things actually. For starters, leaving a tip for someone instead of a tract, and starting at 20% then going to 25% for good service and 15% for bad service. Our God is a God of generosity, not only did he create the universe and give us life, but he sent his son to reconcile us back to himself. Since our God is a generous God, then maybe one of the most Christian things we can do is to be generous, even when tipping.

I felt a little weird playing Settlers of Catan in public. Since we were at Chick-fil-A, though, I knew it was a safe environment. Obviously there are many things that reflect Jesus far better than playing a game at a Christian restaurant. It’s up to us to discern what those things are and then put them into practice.

What else would you add to this list of things more Christian than Catan at Chick-fil-A?