I’ve had an ongoing conversation with Paul Brunner, executive pastor at Flatirons Community Church, concerning the continuing practice of some church members to park illegally (ie., the RTD parking lot or right in front of signs reading no church parking). After verbal confrontations with members when I’ve pointed this out to them, I thought it would be more productive to approach church leadership for assistance in getting people to do the right thing. The following is Mr. Brunner’s response to my recent email, where I admittedly was quite blunt when I called his congregation hypocrites for not caring enough about the message they are sending to the community, that they use tax free, to be bothered to park where they should:

“Sorry Robin. What I would say is that we’ve never professed to have our crap together nor attempted to portray an image that we’ve got this life thing figured out. On the contrary, what I would say is that we’re a screwed up, broken group of people coming through these doors trying to learn and understand that Jesus has a better way than our jacked up ways. Maybe if you lowered your bar of expectation of the people who call flatirons home you wouldn’t feel so assaulted.”

Apparently the issue isn’t following parking restrictions or respect for the community. Rather, it is that I have too high expectations for this mega church and its members. Interesting that we should lower our expectations for Flatirons church members, instead of holding them to the higher standards they themselves profess.

Who knew Jesus’ most difficult miracle would be getting his followers to park legally. WWJD? Apparently, lower his expectations.

Please show some respect for the neighbors and community by simply parking where you should.

Robin Machholz,

Lafayette