Unchurched Friends

#1 Brian
> What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
- Why is global warmer making me colder?
- Alternative energy? Anytime soon? No? All right then.
- Why are people from Boston and New York so pompous?
- Save the Penguins. Both the animal and the hockey team.

> What is the greatest need in your area?
I don't really know, I don't get out too much. Port Authority has a money shortage, so they've had to cut down routes when they should just be going to the state and whining for more money. Pittsburgh also needs a new multi-purpose arena. The Pirates need some power out of their 6 hitter and consistency from their pitching staff.

> Who or what organization(s) are addressing that need, if any?
Well, Port Authority route changes are pretty much a done deal I believe, so there's not much to do. Gov. Rendell is working with the city to finance a new arena. Xavier Nady is looking to put up 20-25 HR this year.

> Do you think the church, universal, has a responsibility to meet this need?
Not really for any of these needs. Although I'll be praying for Nady, and I'll enjoy all the accompaniment I can get.

> Are you actively attending a church/mass?
Not at school, but I do at home, rarely. I should go to St. Paul's sometime down here though, I've heard it's gorgeous.

> Why do you think many people don't attend church?
Laziness and disdain for being scolded. Some preachers seem more interested in pointing out all the faults of the congregation than allowing Christ to enter their lives. So sitting through a scathing sermon, followed by tossing 5% of your salary into the collection basket, can cause one to second guess one's desire to return to church.
But then there are others who simply don't feel that they should have to conform their own faith to a common belief structure of a church. They would rather hold onto their own beliefs without compromising them.

> What kinds of things would prompt someone to start going to church who had not in previous years?
Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, deaths in the family, losing a job, divorce, trouble with the law, midlife crisis, etc. Basically, tragic events.

> If you were looking for a church, what kinds of things would you look for?
It depends on the person I would think. If you already have some sort of faith, you would look for a church that would fit with that faith. If you're starting from scratch, then you would find the church that gives you the feeling in your soul and enables you to better communicate and connect with Christ.

> What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Listen and be empathetic. If everyone could only listen to others and have the ability to put themselves in another's situation, that'd be just about all the world would need. Or at least it'd be a good start.


#2 Alex
Interviewer:What are a few issues or topics that interest you or that you feel passionately about?

Alex: The War in Iraq, city art and cars

Interviewer:What is the greatest need in your area?

Alex: hmm... higher paying jobs...

I:Who or what organizations are addressing the needs, if any?

A:Well that I know of the PCC have been helping out with higher paying jobs by taking high school graduates and letting them work for a higher education, congress is taking care of Iraq, and mainly Japan has been focusing on the modern car industry

I:Do you think the church has any responsibility or say in these matters?

A:Yes

I:Which issues, in what ways?

A:The church can help the job placement by using the opportunity of helping with job placement (not solely the church's responsibility, but whatever helps the community out yunno) and the church usually informs the general public on which candidate stands for what and helps with petitions dealing with the government

I:Are you actively attending a church/mass?

A: Sometimes, but you couldn't really call it “actively”.

I:Why do you think that many people who don't attend church regularly, don't attend?

A:Laziness, there is no habit of going, fear of meeting new people, or they prefer to use their "time off- wisely"

I:If you had just come to a new community and were looking for a church, what kind of things would you look for?

A:hmm.... see how often I see a flier from a certain church lying around

I:What type of flier, or any type?

A:Pretty much any type

I:What advice can you give pastors who really want to help people?

A:Do not to be afraid to help people, sure there will be shut downs, but there will also plenty of opportunities and open doors

I:Awesome thanks

#3 Anthony
>What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
Gay Rights, the Environment, and Politics
>What is the greatest need in your area?
High School dropouts. Pretty much no one graduates high school in this area anymore. And the ones who do, they just go off to college and then when they graduate move someplace better so we're left with just hicks and high school dropouts.
>Who or what organization(s) are addressing that need, if any?
Well, mr. bush is suppose to be taking care of the education system with no child left behind, but we can all see how well that's working. The teachers and the students all hate it, and it doesn't help at all for kids who want to drop out, that only hurts the school. Some people learn that, and they drop out just to hurt their school on purpose. Yeah, nclb is supposed to be to be addressing this need, but it's not. Abolish it!
>Do you think the church, universal, has a responsibility to meet this need?
No not really. The church has no place in education. And christian schools are immune to nclb anyways.
>Are you actively attending a church/mass?
I go with my family on Christmas and Easter, but other than that no. When i go i don't care it's just tradition anyway. even the pastor knows it's tradition because im pretty sure he preaches the same thing every time.
>Why do you think many people don't attend church?
Its boring. Nothing that they talk about relates to real life. This is a scientific world, and the fantasy world of the bible is just unbelievable most people.
>What kinds of things would prompt someone to start going to church who had not in previous years?
A tragedy in their life or the life of one of their loved ones.
>If you were looking for a church, what kinds of things would you look for?
It would have to be a place accepting of all lifestyles.
>What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Don't be afraid to go out into the real world and learn how to relate to real people. Pastors are all shut up in their church and they act weird when in public.

#4 Renee
What are a few issues or topics that impact/interest you?
Drugs, music, Invisible Children (Children being drafted into war in Uganda)

What is the greatest need in your area?
Battered and abused women and kids.

Who or what organization(s) are addressing that need, if any?
The Catholic Charities is doing alot, they are a national organization that does alot of good things.

Do you think the church, universal, has a responsibility to meet this need?
Not really, people need to take care of themselves. Everyone is responsible only for themself, but if the church wants to help out then i guess that's ok. I mean, they help out anyway, but its not really their responsibility.

Are you actively attending a church/mass?
Eh, no.

Why do you think many people don't attend church?
It's a waste of time and they have better things to do.

What kinds of things would prompt someone to start going to church who had not in previous years?
Death of a loved one or a holiday.

If you were looking for a church, what kinds of things would you look for?
A place where people are not judgmental and they accept people as they are without trying to change them.

What advice can you give to pastors who really want to be helpful to people?
Don't try to force your beliefs on other people.