When I was a member of a local Chamber of Commerce I remember the very nice executive director whose constant reminder to members old and new was this: The more you participate in your Chamber of Commerce the more value you will relieve. It did seem like some folks expected that sticking a "Chamber of Commerce Member" on their business door or car would somehow magically improve their business. For folks who volunteered time and resources, who used Chamber resources to respond to pending government action and evaluate business decisions, and who built respect for their own abilities, ethics and commitment, the benefits were consistent and on-going. But just sending a check and maybe showing up for an occasional breakfast did not generate much value.
It seems to me that church is no different. If we sit in a pew for 55 minutes on Sunday morning before scooting out to the car to beat the traffic, send a check but don't involve ourselves with how it is used, barely speak to fellow attendees and rarely volunteer, we can't be surprised when we get little value (blessing) out of the experience.
So what might we do to be blessed and to be a blessing in a church?
On your way to church pray: O God, open my heart to Your wishes for me. Open my mind to Your truth be it found in sermon, songs or Bible class. Open my eyes to others who might be comforted with a handshake, a warm smile, help during the service, an escort to the coffee pot or child care center, a kind word, a hearing ear, an invitation to Bible class or an offer to answer any questions. Open my ears to information that might inform my prayers for my church family members or indicate a need I might privately meet. Feed my soul, O Lord, and light a fire under my feet. AMEN
Send the pastor or music leader or event coordinator a note or email when the message has touched you deeply. If you feel compelled to ask consideration for something in the service or sermon which caused you concern, do so with all the gentleness and love you would offer a beloved family member, because this is what they are -- brothers and sisters in Christ.
Look around and see who is kind, involved, busy, helpful, gentle in spirit, wise, or passionate and offer to volunteer in an area where they serve. Making connections with such people can be an amazing blessing.
Consider more seriously how you can, in partnership with your church family, help others in your family of birth and choice, neighborhood, place of work, place of study, community, nation and world. And worry less about getting what makes you happy. If you do that first, the last will come. If you don't do eventually grow into the first, the last can not come fully.
If you want something to happen differently, consider how you can help make that happen. For instance, rather than say "I don't like the service", you could say, "I'm frustrated because I don't know many of the new songs; how might I learn them faster?" Or you might say "I'd like to see our church be more welcoming to families with young children; can I make a sign to stand near the entrance that points toward the nursery?" In other words, it is fine to want things to get better but it is better yet to invest in the solution.
You may have had life experiences that have left you feeling you have little to offer and fear making mistakes. But God understands this and a prayer like this might help: O Lord, I'm uncertain even a little afraid. Please still my fears and give me help in connecting with the church, the areas of involvement and the people that You are providing to bless me as I learn how to do this. Your Word tells me You have a place for me, a purpose for me to fulfill. So, help me to focus more on how I might help and less on how I might look doing it. AMEN
God calls you to be blessed and to be a blessing. Both of those are available to you today because God promises to provide the first, and to inspire and empower the second. Don't delay another minute.
It seems to me that church is no different. If we sit in a pew for 55 minutes on Sunday morning before scooting out to the car to beat the traffic, send a check but don't involve ourselves with how it is used, barely speak to fellow attendees and rarely volunteer, we can't be surprised when we get little value (blessing) out of the experience.
So what might we do to be blessed and to be a blessing in a church?
On your way to church pray: O God, open my heart to Your wishes for me. Open my mind to Your truth be it found in sermon, songs or Bible class. Open my eyes to others who might be comforted with a handshake, a warm smile, help during the service, an escort to the coffee pot or child care center, a kind word, a hearing ear, an invitation to Bible class or an offer to answer any questions. Open my ears to information that might inform my prayers for my church family members or indicate a need I might privately meet. Feed my soul, O Lord, and light a fire under my feet. AMEN
Send the pastor or music leader or event coordinator a note or email when the message has touched you deeply. If you feel compelled to ask consideration for something in the service or sermon which caused you concern, do so with all the gentleness and love you would offer a beloved family member, because this is what they are -- brothers and sisters in Christ.
Look around and see who is kind, involved, busy, helpful, gentle in spirit, wise, or passionate and offer to volunteer in an area where they serve. Making connections with such people can be an amazing blessing.
Consider more seriously how you can, in partnership with your church family, help others in your family of birth and choice, neighborhood, place of work, place of study, community, nation and world. And worry less about getting what makes you happy. If you do that first, the last will come. If you don't do eventually grow into the first, the last can not come fully.
If you want something to happen differently, consider how you can help make that happen. For instance, rather than say "I don't like the service", you could say, "I'm frustrated because I don't know many of the new songs; how might I learn them faster?" Or you might say "I'd like to see our church be more welcoming to families with young children; can I make a sign to stand near the entrance that points toward the nursery?" In other words, it is fine to want things to get better but it is better yet to invest in the solution.
You may have had life experiences that have left you feeling you have little to offer and fear making mistakes. But God understands this and a prayer like this might help: O Lord, I'm uncertain even a little afraid. Please still my fears and give me help in connecting with the church, the areas of involvement and the people that You are providing to bless me as I learn how to do this. Your Word tells me You have a place for me, a purpose for me to fulfill. So, help me to focus more on how I might help and less on how I might look doing it. AMEN
God calls you to be blessed and to be a blessing. Both of those are available to you today because God promises to provide the first, and to inspire and empower the second. Don't delay another minute.
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