Invisible Touch? ..Not Really Invisible..

Recently, I’ve read a few blog posts that stand out to me in regards to how people are treated both in ministry settings and personal. 

There is a saying I’ve heard many times:

“No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

While I will again say that we are not trying to gain a following but to help people in their lives, we cannot do that unless we have established that we care for them in whatever state they come in. 

A good example of this is a small story that Kathy Guy, Director of Community at Granger Community Church, tells about what person visiting one of their classes said. The guest commented that “I’ve never been in church before where it’s safe for broken people. Thank you. It’s really helping me.”

The question remains for the lot of us, what are we needing to do to change perception and change our attitudes and thoughts about those who are broken and hurting and calling for help and do not fit our mold.

What are things that you all are doing to help gain people’s trust?

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Today (the 24th that is), was my birthday.  To those who ask this question, yes, having your birthday right before Christmas is not usually a winning combination.  Every year, a large majority forget that it’s my birthday, even though I see many of them at the Christmas Eve church service, etc.  I don’t say this for sympathy or anything like that, not looking for that at all.

Even though I know and understand that people are very very busy this time of year, I still wish to be remembered and appreciated.  I didn’t hear from a few people that I would have loved to today, whether that is me being selfish or whatever, I don’t know, but I felt kind of down that they didn’t call.  I wanted to feel remembered and appreciated for being me on my “special” day.

How many times do the people in our congregations or staff members or neighbors feel the same way our churches or work places?  People have a want to be remembered and appreciated.  They want to be noticed and feel like they mean something in our busy lives and schedules.  I know people who have written thank you notes for when the Pastor asked how their son was, and he remembered the son’s name.  The parents felt special at that moment and felt cared for, not just another tithe check.  I’m not saying that we are pandering or playing towards people, but trying to come in on a personal caring level.

What steps are we taking to ensure the best possible relational interaction as the church?  What can we do to help people not fall through the cracks?

I just finished reading Clayton King’s post of the the bowing of a seasoned veteran of ministry.  He has done a small series of posts on thoughts for young ministers and seasoned; very good reads. In this last post, the seasoned veteran shared something that sticks with me.  He said, “Once you let anybody other than Jesus tell you what to do, you begin to die.”

A lot of things have been going on in the foreground of my life recently. I have been faced with decisions on how to act when you know everyone is watching, next steps to take in my personal life, having my car hit three times in 6 weeks where I believe if it wasn’t for the favor of God the other parties insurance wouldn’t have come through; just a multitude of situations that test my belief limits.

This past summer I made a vow to continue to pursue God’s calling on my life, no matter the cost.  I’ve known since a very young age that I was called out, separated unto the kingdom of God.  I was talking to my dad the other day about this very matter.  It seems the more we try and press on, the more we are pressed upon. My father, like I, is called as well.  “Dad,” I said, “We can never quit. We can never give up.”

Beyond my father and I, my family has been called, but most have ran.  My uncle started down that path; however, for various reasons walked away from ministry many years ago. My grandpa told us before his passing that he too ran from the calling of ministry as did his father.   Out of curiousity, I researched my family line and found that we had been ministers of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but some years back that line was broken.

Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..”(NIV)

This is my public profession. I am determined to follow the plan God has on my life, whatever road he deems to takes me down.