Taking ‘Christlike’ to an extreme

Wearing flowing robes and thorny crowns, about 400 churchgoers honored a promise to their pastor that they’d dress like Jesus to remind people of Christmas’ roots.

Members of Praise Chapel Christian Fellowship began dressing that way last week at jobs, shopping malls and restaurants.

The demonstration wrapped up Wednesday.

“I know it’s a crazy idea,” said the Rev. Kelly Lohrke, whose 600 members attend services in Kansas City, Kan., and nearby Lee’s Summit, Mo. “I know it’s a radical idea. Christians can have fun with their faith and sharing their faith.”

Lohrke said he came up with the concept out of frustration over the removal of some crosses, Nativity scenes and other religious symbols from public view.

Another catalyst was the American Humanist Assn., which plastered ads on buses in Washington, D.C., proclaiming: “Why believe in god? Just be good for goodness’ sake.”

Lohrke, whose church is part of Rancho Cucamonga-based Praise Chapel Fellowship of Churches and Ministers International, doesn’t think the Founding Fathers intended separation of church and state to mean the end of Jesus displayed publicly for holidays.

“It’s just absurd that Jesus is taken out,” he said.

Lohrke brought up the idea at services on Dec. 14, telling parishioners, “We aren’t going to preach.” But if asked about their attire, he said, participants should share their faith.

“We’ve gotten nothing but positives,” said Lohrke, who has dressed like Jesus at a Starbucks, a Target store and a post office.

Lohrke posted a video on YouTube declaring “Jesus is back” and showing a participant wearing a long gown and a crown of thorns strolling through a mall, sitting on Santa’s lap and averting his eyes as he strolls past a Victoria’s Secret store.

“Next year,” Lohrke said, “we are going to make this a big deal.”