Preconceptions
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of speaking to someone on the phone who I had previously only known online.
I’ve gotta tell you, I was SHOCKED!
The gentleman in question is Trey Morgan (Blog | Twitter) and I should have guessed what his accent was like but to be honest, I never made the whole Texas connection and from his picture, he looks like a young, slim, handsome man who I imagined sounded a little like Ralph Fiennes or, at a stretch, Tom Cruise.
The voice I heard on the phone though made me picture Boss Hogg from the Dukes of Hazzard or a fat, balding, hell fire and brimstone preacher.
My preconceptions about what he should sound like and my preconceptions of what someone with his accent should look like were totally and utterly wrong.
It occurred to me today that the same is true for the preconceptions non-Christians have of us as Christians and of our churches.
People very often have very negative preconceptions of how Christians will act and speak and how their church services will be.
Do we meet those negative preconceptions? Are we everything that people fear we will be.
Or do we blow those preconceptions out of the water, in a good way?
What do people see when they see you? Do they see something that they want to be a part of?
Do they ask you for an explanation for the hope that’s within you? (1Peter 3:15)
Do you life a life that’s worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? (Philippians 1:27)
Next time you see someone, think about what preconceived ideas they might have and whether you want to match up to those ideas!
Boss Hog … Ba ha ha ha …. I laughed out loud so hard that my wife came it to see what was so funny. 🙂 I love it.
I suddenly panicked last night while I was trying to go to sleep that you might be offended by that.
I'm glad you weren't 🙂
I'm just waiting for someone to point out that Boss Hogg didn't sound the slightest bit texan!
Oh, Peter… you need to listen to the occasional sermon from Trey! First off, they are very inspirational. And sometimes, his Texas talk just will make you burst out in laughter.
There is this one line from one of his sermons, I won't tell you, but it has become a famous quote amongst our family. And we all try to do our best Texan accent with it.
Duane … comment made me laugh. Sometime you'll have to tell me "the phrase." 🙂
Yeah, I'm wondering what that phrase is, too!
You made me really think about the voice you heard on the phone. As much as I can, I try not to judge people or expect anything and avoid negative preconceptions, so that I won't end up feeling guilty.
Thanks, Christian.
I try not to judge people, or prejudge them but sometimes I get so shocked by someone that I realize I've slipped into it.
Realizing that is a good reminder to me!
Boss Hog? Sheesh, Peter. I wonder what you think I sound like! Trey's blog looks awesome BTW. Great job!
Yeah, I was thinking about you as I wrote this, wondering how your pet phrases sound with whatever accent you have! 🙂