I live with the reality that every weekend we may only have one shot to impact a person's life. Maybe they decide to visit on a whim or they are visiting family or a friend has invited them to NCC. But we've got one shot so it needs to be our best shot. But every once in a while it's like fishing. You hear about the one that got away!
I got an email from someone who visited NCC who was really in need of personal prayer and after numerous attempts to get prayed for, they left without feeling like they had been personally ministered to. In a very kind and constructive way, they emailed me to let me know. That'll break your heart! I know we'll have worship sets and sermons and services that fall flat. But the email was a healthy reminder that we may only get one shot so we better give it our best shot. And I can honestly say that I try to approach every message like it's the last message I'll ever preach because I know I've got one shot.
I guess I have a renewed sense of the eternal significance of what we do. I have a renewed sense that everybody who walks thorugh our doors is a divine appointment! And I have a renewed resolve to make sure that we give every weekend our best shot.
I got an email from someone who visited NCC who was really in need of personal prayer and after numerous attempts to get prayed for, they left without feeling like they had been personally ministered to. In a very kind and constructive way, they emailed me to let me know. That'll break your heart! I know we'll have worship sets and sermons and services that fall flat. But the email was a healthy reminder that we may only get one shot so we better give it our best shot. And I can honestly say that I try to approach every message like it's the last message I'll ever preach because I know I've got one shot.
I guess I have a renewed sense of the eternal significance of what we do. I have a renewed sense that everybody who walks thorugh our doors is a divine appointment! And I have a renewed resolve to make sure that we give every weekend our best shot.
7 Comments:
Perhaps building a prayer team to meet with people after each service. We have done this in our church and we close each service inviting those who may need prayer to come meet with members of our prayer team.
mark - that's a great approach to ministry - what we do matters! it can also be a fatal approach if it's not balanced with a good understanding of God's infinite wisdom and sovereignty - knowing that God makes it all happen. i've nearly blown myself up thinking that if don't do it "the best", it won't matter.
it's odd in a make me smile kind of way. we have to work like it's up to us to get someone across the line of faith knowing full well that it's not up to us. it's up to God.
(not a lecture for you. just my thoughts.) do you think this mindset is a healthy way to operate? i'm still figuring this out.
That is heartbreaking. But we are human and we will make mistakes and fail some people. That's why we have grace. I guess the trick is to minimize those instances and work to fill in the cracks where people fall through.
And maybe ask this fellow for forgiveness (since you have his email).
Just some random thoughts.
kgp
Kevin,
We're all squared away. This person was kind enough to send me a really positive and redemptive email telling me what happened because they knew I'd want to know. So it's all good. But I just want to make sure we learn from these missed opportunities to seize the opportunity the next time around.
Mark
Mark,
Thanks for your honesty and openness! I desire to the same thing that you do...I want to do the very best for God everytime our doors are open. It seems like Sunday's are always hard though because I am so spent emotionally and spiritually that when I hear things like this I just feel defeated when it is here at ROCC. Thanks for letting me know that I am not the only pastor out here that misses some devine opportunities! I know God is not shocked that I missed my chance yet He is trying to get me to notice every chance so that I don't miss the important ones that He has already planned for me!!!
Mark,
Of course we can take from your blog that we must always take a fresh look at systems and Sunday setup, but if we stop there we'll miss the eternal opportunities that present themselves to us on a weekly basis. Great reminder, have safe travels.
It's true that we need to be the most welcoming place on Earth too. And even just a kind "hello" to visitors. It's not just the hospitality team's job. It's everyone's job to make everyone feel welcome. I know that personally, I come too often and talk only to my friends. I think I'll make it a goal to welcome a new face every Saturday at Ebz.
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