I have never loved temperatures in the 90s and above; but the older I get the less I want to experience them. Last summer, we had five days in the 90s. This year, the 90s started in early May, and we have had at least 34!
Right now, my road is being paved, or patched might be a better word. My husband spent a summer in college working on a paving crew. It was the job that he hated. The temperatures were nearly unbearable. So I was thinking about that today as I look out my windows occasionally. Most of the work is done by machine, but there is still one guy on the ground with a rake, tamper, or shovel. He is the one I watched. He was too far away to see if it was the same guy all day. Surely, it wasn’t! In my head, I know that those jobs get assigned to the newest guy. How do you get up in the morning to go to a job when the glorious sun is shining – 94 degrees today – and what temperature is it under your feet? When I went out for my mail several hours later, I didn’t want to step on the surface, because I could still feel the heat emanating from the road.
What does this have to do with ministry? Well, I was just wondering. Who are the people in ministry ‘hot spots’? Definitely, many missionaries, but what about counselors, interim pastors, caregivers to paraplegics, special needs children and older adults, the inner city street pastor – who comes to mind? Then, I must ask myself, do I leave them to sweat it out? Do I offer relief? Do I change places, if possible, for respite? Do I look the other way, or worse, not even see them at all? We are all in this life together. I am certain of my call for my life, specifically, but I am pretty sure that I should not be so busy with it, that I shouldn’t do some of the grunt work, get uncomfortable and ‘hot’ and help by offering some sort of relief. Spiritual relief is good, but many times, physical and emotional relief is needed more, so the soul can rest, renew, and be refreshed.
To God be the Glory. Helen
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:34-43
What a great title! It’s not mine. Maureen Gallatin, a fellow horse-lover, referred to it on her blog.
http://www.inspiredbyhorses.com/subscribe
An Extra Flake, Inspired by Horses, Text Copyright(c)2010 All rights reserved.
September 24, 2010
September 2, 2010
Never Said Goodbye
Can you imagine? It must be a horribly disappointing, hurtful feeling.
“I missed a few weeks, no one noticed, and I just didn’t go back.”
“After the surgery, I couldn’t even make meals for weeks. No one came to visit me or help me. They are supposed to be my ‘family’. So, I might as well go somewhere else.”
“I did that job for years. Yeah, it was a small job, but I did it every week. I had to give it up. I didn’t expect a lot, but I did think someone might say thanks, or send me a card. Maybe I don’t belong here.”
I could go on and on with the comments I have heard over the years from people who have left our church because they felt unloved, unappreciated, and alone. Sometimes, as a staff person, I was shocked; I thought they did belong. Other times, sadly, I said to myself “of course”. Yet other times, I don’t know what more we could have done. All of these break your heart. Yes, every person does not belong in our church; but every person should be able to find a home in the Church. CrossPoint cannot be all things to all people. When people leave because of theological differences (i.e. dunking vs. sprinkling) or systems expectation (multi-site vs. building larger), there is another church that they will fit in. However, when someone leaves because they are hurt by the church, we must all mourn.
Speaking as a staff person, diligence is the key. We can check attendance records, and set up a system of calling absentees. (This is not truly effective, because not everyone fills out a communication sheet). As staff, it is difficult to slow down on a Sunday and really become part of the congregation; but we need to do that Also, we cannot be sure that everyone is noticed by ourselves. The whole congregation must help. After all, we are creatures of habit. How many of us sit in the same area of a class or worship every week? Then when you notice someone not there, give them a call to just check in that all is well.
Small Group Ministry is still our best solution to getting people involved and feeling the sense of belonging. Building relationships is the best way for understanding to prevail and Jesus’ love to be spread. God talks about relationships all of the time throughout the Bible – His relationship with each of us, and our relationship with each other. Please, please help. Slow down and notice the people around you. And if you have any concrete ways to help get people involved and cared for, please let me know. I promise to pass the idea on.
To God be the Glory! Helen
Love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
We are called to show love.
“I missed a few weeks, no one noticed, and I just didn’t go back.”
“After the surgery, I couldn’t even make meals for weeks. No one came to visit me or help me. They are supposed to be my ‘family’. So, I might as well go somewhere else.”
“I did that job for years. Yeah, it was a small job, but I did it every week. I had to give it up. I didn’t expect a lot, but I did think someone might say thanks, or send me a card. Maybe I don’t belong here.”
I could go on and on with the comments I have heard over the years from people who have left our church because they felt unloved, unappreciated, and alone. Sometimes, as a staff person, I was shocked; I thought they did belong. Other times, sadly, I said to myself “of course”. Yet other times, I don’t know what more we could have done. All of these break your heart. Yes, every person does not belong in our church; but every person should be able to find a home in the Church. CrossPoint cannot be all things to all people. When people leave because of theological differences (i.e. dunking vs. sprinkling) or systems expectation (multi-site vs. building larger), there is another church that they will fit in. However, when someone leaves because they are hurt by the church, we must all mourn.
Speaking as a staff person, diligence is the key. We can check attendance records, and set up a system of calling absentees. (This is not truly effective, because not everyone fills out a communication sheet). As staff, it is difficult to slow down on a Sunday and really become part of the congregation; but we need to do that Also, we cannot be sure that everyone is noticed by ourselves. The whole congregation must help. After all, we are creatures of habit. How many of us sit in the same area of a class or worship every week? Then when you notice someone not there, give them a call to just check in that all is well.
Small Group Ministry is still our best solution to getting people involved and feeling the sense of belonging. Building relationships is the best way for understanding to prevail and Jesus’ love to be spread. God talks about relationships all of the time throughout the Bible – His relationship with each of us, and our relationship with each other. Please, please help. Slow down and notice the people around you. And if you have any concrete ways to help get people involved and cared for, please let me know. I promise to pass the idea on.
To God be the Glory! Helen
Love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
We are called to show love.
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