'WTWNC'
"I have made it a habit not to chase every Christian visitor to our church. . . . There are simply many Christians who are looking for something that we cannot and probably should not offer. I do not often chase Christians, who after a time with us, choose to leave. I think pastors/leaders have often spent inordinate amounts of time trying desperately to cater to Christians who have, for better or worse, a consumer mentality. . . . I think we are to spend our time searching out the lost however. And I think we should listen deeply to one another as COMMITTED MEMBERS of a community to the complaints, concerns, issues of our community. And I think we should nurture the practice of hospitality to all strangers"
posted by Milton Stanley at 11:58 AM
4 Comments:
True...on the other hand, we were in the process of changing churches because ours was too far away--we were not really feeling part of the local community. So we were seeking a church more close to our home so we could be more effective in ministering to the needs of those right around us and so we could more easily invite them to church etc. We had visited a church once or twice when my hubby had to have major surgery---the pastor of the church we visited came to the hospital several times to pray with us (even though we were visitors!). His love and compassion so ministered to us and He was representative of his whole congregation's attitude--he went the extra mile. We are members of this church now and this church reaches out to others in the community through a lot of major ministries dealing with the poor, the sick, the dying, the abused children and on and on . The thing that is amazing is that this church is small but it has a big heart.
I believe the pastor's attitude has a major inpact on the congregations as a whole. An attitude of overwhelming love, tender mercy is a direct reflection of God our father and a pastor should reflect this in dealing with newcomers.
Yes, the incarnational aspects of ministry are definitely the other side of the coin. You also hit on another important point about churches: if at all possible, we ought to be not only part of a church congregation, but of the community in which it meets and does its work in the world. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights.
yup, I agree...too many churches withdraw from the community instead of seeking to witness to the community by serving them. My son attends a church out in Seattle that is doing this in various ways. They have a guy that designed some software to help the church with the community within the church. They sold this software to a Christian publishing group (that inturn will sell it to churches)--the money they recieved is going to be used to serve the area they are living in---they contacted the mayor (or someone) and asked, How can we serve the community--what are some needs you have. They are demonstrating that they care about those around them. I thought that was a great idea.
I think it's a great idea, too. Thanks for sharing it here. Peace.
Post a Comment
<< Home