From the armchair

Alf Garnett (Archie Bunker in the US) is a character who "knew". He "Knew" vehemently - I worked with a guy like this once - fiercely intelligent, nearly retirement age, described himself as cantankerous. We got on like a house on fire - he made fun of my religion and I gently poked at his vigorous certainty about himself but we never went too far - knowing we were fragile people underneath.

My friend claimed to have no need for religion but most days he would wander down the hallway and challenge me about something to do with faith. I have no idea where he ended up - but perhaps he did see another Hand behind the bikes and sunsets he liked so much after all.

We often make ourselves spikey and unattractive when we are afraid to change or when we are hurt. Sometimes those most hostile to religion are those most desperate for it but they are bound up in fear. I am not sure I would imagine Alf (I never watched the US show) as a regular church goer - but I can see him sitting in his chair when no one else was around slogging out the world's problems with God (in fact did he do that - I can't remember my mother hated the show.....).

Sometimes mission and ministry are not about a neatly delivered package but about small steps along the way in a person's life. Often folks are quietly watching to see what thing "Church thing" or these "Christians" are really all about. Just being Christ in the world, confidently and kindly using the gifts we are given is all we can do. Offering what we believe and what we hope in - but without expectation. Folks often spend a very long time thinking about things before they stop acting sure of themselves and will admit to being sure of God.