Jesustrek

For the past few years, the New Beginnings Ministries Church in Warsaw, Ohio has picketed the Foxhole North club in nearby New Castle because they feature topless dancing. This past Sunday, several dancers from the club responded by staging their own protest outside of the church—topless!

This demonstration resulted in some heated verbal exchanges between the two sides.

The church’s pastor, Bill Dunfee, says that the episode won’t stop the church members from picketing the club. “We know what we’re doing is working,” he said.

Really!? Having half-naked ladies on the church property on a Sunday morning engaged in a shouting match with church members is not my definition of success!

Other churches have tried a more gracious approach to responding to the exotic dancing business. Their ladies have gone to clubs and given cookies and gift bags containing earrings, lip gloss and hand sanitizer to the dancers. They have included notes with encouraging messages, such as, “You are valued,” “You are loved” and “Praying for you”. Sometimes these Christian ladies have won the trust of a dancer. Some churches have had dancers visit their worship services. Some dancers have found their way out of exotic dancing and have become followers of Jesus as a result of the encouragement of people who have reached out in love rather than pointing an accusing finger.

What these churches are doing is working!

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”—Matthew 5:16.