Then there is a more recent experience I had with Bldg 28 Church. Christmas 2022 was approaching…read moreand pastor Aaron kept inviting everyone, regardless of age, to attend the young adult's Christmas party. So I decided to go, even though I was 67 years old. These folks are all white. There was one token black on staff, but he left.
I arrive and no one greets me, so I just walk in and roam around. They had a ping pong table, so I stood nearby watching. A guy walks over and asks me if I am going on the Israel trip. Nope. But it turns out he is a US Navy officer. I was in the Navy for 4 years back in the 80s, so we talked about military stuff for awhile.
Other than that, the only other person to even say hello was Dani - a cute young lady who was on staff and Niko, a young man who attened my home group with his parents. It felt like I was invisible, but I knew that people saw me - they just ignored me. Basically, the same reaction I get when I walk in to a bar or any room.
Then it was time for the Gift Exchange. A weird custom that Christians have where they bring "white elephant" (gag) gifts to give others. Dani said, "Everyone grab a chair and form a cirlce!" So I grabbed a chair and walked over to where people were forming a circle. I was actively impeded and hip-checked out of the cirlce and wound up sitting alone behind the cirlce. Yet everyone pretended not to notice. No one spoke up and said, "hey, make room for Mr. Sanders." They just proceeded as if I wasn't there.
I sat there for 10 minutes and watched - and waited. Nothing. So I got up and left. I thought, "wow, that was a mistake." At least 50 so-called Christians showing just how selfish they really are. Refusing to exercise hospitality or even basic courtesy. All because I was not one of them. Even though I was ostensibly their "brother in Christ," I was not part of their generation. I was a hated "boomer."
I discovered first hand that ageism is as real as racism. Young people blame old people for their problems. They hate us. At least alot of them do. And even if the "world" acts this way, I expected better from the church. But nope. They are even worse in some ways. More arrogant. There is no hate like "Christian love."