Conversations and Caring while Serving their Neighbors
If you’ve been reading my blog for the last few months, then you know that I’m very excited about a venture undertaking by Chris (from “The Amplified Life”) and the church that he’s part of. What venture? A venture that they called “5th Sunday.” Four times per year, on fifth Sundays, they plan to forgo their normal church gathering and instead go out into their neighborhoods and community in order to serve people together.
Chris writes about their first “5th Sunday” day of service in his post “5th Sunday — Conversations, Caring, and Committing.”
Please take the time to read Chris’ post and encourage him and their church as they seek to move outside the four walls and into the lives of the people around them!
I’m not a carpenter, but I play one on TV
During the last few weeks, I’ve had a couple of opportunities to help people with various forms of carpentry. Now, you must know, I am not a carpenter. I’m not even almost a carpenter. I own a hammer, but that’s about as close as I get to being a carpenter.
A few weeks ago, some friends needed help putting the finishing touches on their new deck. I didn’t build the deck. In fact, I didn’t even put on the finishing touches. But, I helped my friend who does not have to do some carpentry. Primarily, I held things and picked up things and offered two more hands whenever he needed them.
A few days ago, a friend of ours wanted to change her locks. Again, this is not my area of expertise. But, I went to her house after work, took off the old locks, picked up some new locks, and then installed the new locks. And, believe it or not, the locks seem to work… for now.
So, why did I tell these stories? I’m certainly not interested in convincing people that I’m a great carpenter. Trust me, I’m not very handy at all.
No, I shared these stories to encourage you. There are going to be times when someone is going to need help. And, they will need help in a manner in which you are not skilled. So what? Help them anyway.
Too much in the church today is handled by professionals. And, even those areas where the common person is allowed to serve, only those with certain skills are given the opportunity. This is not the way the church is designed.
Yes, we all have certain gifts and abilities and talents and skills and training. But, our ability to help one another is not found only in those things in which we excel! No, our ability to help one another is found in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who indwells us.
Plus, my friends did not care that I was not the greatest at woodworking or installing locks. Instead, they cared that I was willing to give up my time to help them.
Serving in this manner does not come natural to me. I’m much more of a talker. (I heard someone snicker… Shut up… I know who you are.) I have been told that I am a gifted teacher. But, this does not mean that I should only serve others by teaching. No. Not at all. And this is where so many teachings about spiritual gifts and service fall short. (And, don’t even get me started on those spiritual gift surveys…)
If God gives us an opportunity to serve others (in any manner) then we should take advantage of those opportunities, trusting God to work through us. If your gifting is in the area of teaching, but you have an opportunity to serve and get your hands dirty, then jump at the chance! If your gifting is in the area of serving, and God gives you an opportunity to teach, then take advantage of that opportunity!
Yes… whatever opportunity God gives you to serve, take that opportunity… even if it’s carpentry.
Two Stories from the Food Pantry
Margaret (my wife) and I had the opportunity to talk with and pray for people waiting to receive food from a local food pantry.
The people working “behind the scenes” at the food pantry are starting to get more volunteers, and they’re starting to move people through more quickly. This is good for the people getting food, because they do not have to wait as long.
But, it’s bad for those of us who are trying to talk with the people while they wait, because we don’t have as much time. Yesterday, Margaret and I were the only ones spending time with the people while they waited.
The stories from two families stand out…
The first couple was struggling with their relationship. As is the case in most marriages, there were problems on both sides, the husband and the wife. The good thing is that while they were not talking much yesterday, they were willing to talk with someone further.
The other story came from a man who lost his arm up to his elbow when a customer at his pawn shop accidentally discharged a handgun into his hand. Yes, it was a gruesome story, but the follow-up was worse. His parents and his wife left him, and he continues to live with constant pain. Unfortunately, the God’s family hasn’t been much help, and his faith is suffering.
Sometimes it’s difficult to hear stories like this, especially when you’re looking into the eyes of the people who are living it. But, every time I think about giving up, I remember that God has placed me here to show his love to “the least” in our community.
Guest Post: A reflection of Jesus Christ
Lately, I’ve been publishing “guest blog posts.” However, this post is not one of those planned post. Instead, what you read below was left by John as a comment on my post “Guest Post: How does the church respond to poverty?”
However, I thought this comment was too good to be left in the comments. Yes, I know that I could have highlighted it in my “comment highlight” post for tomorrow, but I’m hoping that by publishing it here, even more people will read it.
Why? Because this is an excellent example of what happens when Christians step out of their comfort zones and get to know people that they would normally avoid. We’ve seen stories much like the ones listed below. These kinds of stories are everywhere, because people are everywhere.
Please read John’s story below, and respond to him in the comments.
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Two weeks ago I spent time in Beaumont, Texas with a friend Mike who has been ministering to lower income people now for several years. He was once a traditional pastor and was called by God to leave and follow Him. After many months of waiting and praying he was led to go to into some lower income neighborhoods. He would drive through the different neighborhoods and pray. He did this for weeks. Over time, he got out of his car and began walking around, talking to those who lived there. Six years later, there are now about 120+ individuals who are now believers in Jesus Christ. They were drug addicts, abusers, drug dealers, thieves, sick, and lonely. Today they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Mike took me out with him on his regular Saturday visits. They call them house meetings. Mike prays and the Holy Spirit puts different people on his heart and schedules time to visit with them.
We went to half a dozen houses where we were always warmly greeted. Some people lived in nice clean homes. At the first house a young man in his twenties sat on his front porch in a t-shirt and pajama bottoms. He got up to greet us with his hand extended “Hello”. He led us into his house, sparsely furniture, neat and in order. He walked us into a converted garage that was now a family room. Mike sat on the floor, I sat on a nice comfortable love seat. His wife and cousin joined us on the sofa. Mike asked about how they had been and they talked as I noticed on the far wall a color photo of Dr. Martin Luther King. It was centered on the wall surrounded by four dancing abstract figures, one on the top, one to the right and left and the forth directly underneath. Dr. King had a place of great respect in their home. Our host had been suffering from residual effects of a car accident, his cousin was headed to court Monday morning for a hearing. We all prayed for physical healing from the back pain. Next for God’s will to be done in court. There were smiles and thanks to Jesus all around and a scheduled pick-up time for a ride to tomorrow morning to the community center.
Another man lived in a rat infested blood stained room with blowing sheets for windows. He was asleep on a brown, dirty mattress. Struggling to wake from his dreams and a tattered blanket. He had just gotten out of the hospital and was weak and hungry. But was full of praises for Jesus. A quick trip to the store for the requested white bread, boloney, and fruit punch and he was that much closer to heaven.
Another elderly gentleman had just moved into an apartment from a nursing home. “God answered my prayers Mike, God answered my prayers!” He exclaimed as we walked up to him sitting outside his front door in his wheelchair. “Praise God! He answered my prayer! You know this apartment is from the Lord? He answered my prayers!” he just kept repeating it. “Yes sir!” We replied. His thanks to the Lord was infectious. Despite his physical condition there was nothing but thanks and a face that beamed brighter than any words could express. We introduced ourselves to several others in the building, invited them to the gathering the next day to celebrate Jesus at the community center with us. Some head nods and handshakes as Mike said, “we’ll see you and talk again.”
Mike had one particular women who he wanted me to meet, but wasn’t sure she would let me into her house, as she has a very difficult time around people she doesn’t know. He called her and invited us over. She was concerned, hesitant about having a new visitor. Her room was in an old converted YMCA, repurposed as low income housing. Mike was invited into her apartment as I waited outside until the all clear. Once inside her apartment there as a gold bird cage with two tiny birds, one yellow, one red. She was standing staring straight ahead at the them as I entered the room. I got as still as she was and didn’t flinch a bit. “Those are beautiful birds.” I said. “There’re chirping because they’re afraid of you.” she replied. “They afraid and don’t know what to do, so they’re chirping.” I was frozen. We were all caged at that moment. The birds, this women, Mike and I. “They’re chirping is beautiful and there colors are so bright.” I eventually said. “Yeah” she replied. “Have a seat” Mike interjected. Mike swung a chair out from under a small table and took a seat, I sat on a chair next to a floor lamp. She sat down on an armchair and began caressing it’s arms repeatedly. We soon found out that one of her friends who was a drug addict had OD’d the day before. She had just found out earlier that morning, She was bound with grief, confused and desperate. She slowly opened up and talked as best she could through her pain. We shared in her tears and heartache. When we left she gave Mike a smile and a hug. She looked at me and said, “I’ll give you a hug too” and wrapped her arms around me and I squeezed ever so gently back on God’s little bird.
The next day at the community center about 45 or so believers from the neighborhood gathered to express their love for their Savior and Redeemer. Mothers separated from their children, children without their parents, couples who no longer beat each other, sons and daughters who left their drug use and other addictions behind simply walked in, greeted each other, sat, prayed and worshipped the Lord together. As I looked around at a room of faces I would have just walked on by years ago, I found myself staring at each and every one, a reflection of Jesus Christ.
Much love to you all, may your eyes be opened, your ears hear and your hearts made flesh.
Predicting, Listening, Craving, and Serving
As I wrote a few days ago, there are so many good blog posts in my feed reader right now that I can’t possibly create a separate post for each one of them. However, I do want to point my readers to them, because… well, like I said, they’re very good.
So here are another list of posts that I found extremely encouraging and challenging.
I hope you take the time to read these posts. I think you’ll be glad that you did.
Eric from “A Pilgrim’s Progress” writes “I Can’t Predict Who’s Interested“
In his post, Eric is primarily talking about church. Until he talks to people, he cannot tell who is interested in discussing and living out issues regarding the church. However, I think this applies to the gospel as well.
Guy from “The M Blog” writes “Listening to one another’s stories“
He says that we must listen to one another before we can help, teach, disciple, etc. one another. And, while I agree with Guy that “listen to one another” is not one of the commands found in Scripture, it does seem to be an important foundation to many of the commands, especially the “one another” commands.
Bobby at “Deconstructing Neverland” writes “Craving for community“
He talks about some of the obstacles and frustrations that people face when they seek community with other believers. I know these obstacles and frustrations are real. Not only have I faced them myself, but I get emails from people all the time who face the same things.
Chris at “The Amplified Life” writes “A Quick Thought on Serving Others“
He is surprised that a gesture as simple as holding the door for someone is rare. What about real acts of service? Is the church any better than culture at serving others?
I’d love to hear what you think about these posts.
Without church programs, we can still serve together
In two of my previous posts, I talked about the danger of being busy with church programs and activities, and the difficulty that we often face when moving away from these types of programs. (See my posts “Numbing our souls with church activities” and “Growing past church programs and activities is not easy.”)
In church programs and activities, the program or activity is the unifying force. Without the particular class or project, the people involved would probably not work together. And, when the class or project is complete, the people who were involved often don’t interact with each other much anymore. (Granted, people who have relationships with one another can be involved in programs and activities together. But, these relationships are generally not built through the classes or projects.)
However, this does not mean that we should not serve, teach, disciple, and evangelize together. In fact, I believe this is a very important part of our life together as the church. As we share life together (fellowship) in Christ, the Spirit will (super)naturally lead us to people who need help. These people may be strangers, but they will often be acquaintances or friends of people who are part of our group. Thus, we serve through our relationships with Christ and one another toward ourselves (in teaching, discipling, serving, etc.) and others (in evangelizing, serving, etc.).
The difference between serving through church programs and serving through relationships may be undetectable to those outside the groups. In either case, the person being served only knows that a group of people seeks to help and love them, hopefully in the name of Jesus Christ. (Of course, the difference would be obvious to someone who is part of the group.)
However, the difference is very important to the people who are actually working together to serve, teach, evangelize, etc. Why? Because maturity in Christ comes through our mutual fellowship with one another – that is our relationships with Jesus Christ and with one another. We do not grow in maturity simply because we do certain activities together or at the same time.
And, even more, maturity is to be a continuing and consistent process. Groups of Christians that serve through their relationships will continue to relate to one another after that particular act of service is complete. In this way, we get to know one another – our strengths and weaknesses – and are able to continually help one another through various opportunities to serve together.
This ongoing aspect of these relational groups (relating to Christ and to one another) is extremely important. We grow in maturity in Jesus Christ as we are interconnected with one another, not merely when we do thing together. It takes time and consistency for this type of interconnection and interrelation.
In relational service, the particular act of service is not as important as the people involved – either the people serving or the people being served. The group will gladly add to, modify, or stop certain acts of service for the benefit of the people. Again, this is different than most church programs or activities, which are usually continued even if they are no longer effective.
So, while most of us may be more familiar and more comfortable serving, teaching, evangelizing, discipling, etc. through certain church programs and activities, it is not only possible but preferably to serve together through relationships.
Serving people even when they reject us
My friends Paul and Laurel are in in Switzerland learning French. Why? Because they plan to move to a certain country in Africa where French is one of the predominant languages. While in Africa, they will be developing written languages (for the first time) for several spoken tribal languages. Then, they will help translate the Scriptures into those tribal languages.
Why? They are doing all this to disciple the people among those tribes. They do not view translation as an end, but as one of the means toward helping people grow in maturity in Jesus Christ.
However, it seems that God is continuing to teach them about serving him and loving others while they are in Switzerland. In one of their latest posts, “Rejecting a gift given out of love,” they tell the story of a friend who wanted to help a homeless man they found rooting around in the garbage can for scraps of food. Here is part of the story:
Our friend got up immediately and resolutely saying that he would buy this man a meal. Within a few minutes, our friend came back and just quietly placed the bag of food at the man’s feet, smiled, and walked on. To all of our shock, the homeless man grunted and hastily grabbed the bag of food and angrily slammed it into the trash can he had just been eating out of. We were speechless.
But, they also learned something very important through this:
We were all immediately struck with the reality that this is how the Lord feels when people reject His gift given out of His great love for us… Another challenge we took away from this is to persevere in loving and serving people even when rejected because that is what Jesus did.
This is a difficult lesson to learn. We all want to be accepted, and we want people to be appreciative when we love them.
But, we should never allow people’s responses (or lack of responses) to be a motivation or a hindrance to our service. The only service that honors God is one that is motivated by a love for him and others and that is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Numbing our souls with church activities
Church people are busy. Sundays are obviously filled with activities. In most churches, there are also weekday Bible studies, evangelism classes, choir practice, activities for teenagers and children, Moms groups, Men’s meetings, outdoors enthusiast clubs, discipleship classes, and any number of additional activities.
A few years ago, when we started meeting together, we decided to forgo almost all of these programs. In fact, we only scheduled one weekly meeting for the church, and we decided that meeting would take place on Sunday mornings.
Something interesting happened when our calendars began to empty… and our lives became less busy. We had to deal with real issues, personal issues, relational issues, marital issues, parenting issues, financial issues, etc.
Why were people not dealing with those issues before? Because they had been so busy with church activities that they were able to hide those issues from others and, often, from themselves. They were busy doing church things – which were certainly God things, right? – that they did not have time to think about what was really going on inside and among themselves.
In some ways, our souls were numbed to all of the painful issues that we should have been dealing with, because we were so busy doing good things.
In fact, we soon found that even though we were taking part in evangelism classes, we were not really sharing the gospel. Even though we were part of Bible studies and discipleship classes, we were not learning and living Scripture or discipling one another. Even though we were taking part in classes for children, teenagers, moms, and dads, our families were not strong and were not maturing together in Christ. Even though we were spending time together, we were not actually relating to one another.
Our lives and our families and our relationships were not filled with Christ. The only thing that was filled was our calendars.
When we stopped pretending that we were doing good things – that is, when we stopped attending classes and programs – we learned how empty our lives really were, and we began to look for the reality of life in Christ with one another. Now, we had time to love and serve and evangelize and grow and mature together.
This may sound great to some of my readers, but I have a warning for you. Those classes and programs were acting as an anesthetic, numbing our souls. When we cleared our calendars, we did more than free our time. We also disclosed to ourselves, to our families, and to one another the emptiness and pain that was hidden within. This part was not fun.
But, I’m convinced that the church will not grow until we face these hidden hurts; until we accept that we don’t know how to love and serve and evangelize and care and share and grow and mature. We don’t know how, because we’ve never taken the time to learn. We’ve never taken the time to learn because we’ve been too busy doing good things – church things.
But, in reality, those good church things were numbing our souls and keeping us from growing.
Stop using the phrase “called to the ministry”?
Over the last few years of reading his blog, I’ve found Dave Black’s writing to be encouraging at times, challenging at times, but always for the health of the church.
Think about that for a moment: for the health of the church. He doesn’t write just to write, just to pontificate on his own intelligence or understandings. He writes to build up his brothers and sisters in Christ.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that his brothers and sisters will always agree with or accept what he writes.
I think that’s certainly the case with this latest challenge (from Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10:36 a.m.):
I have a question today, a question to which I do not know the answer. When will appeals for vocations to the ministry end? And when, in their place, will the church encourage all of its members to seek God’s will for the area of ministry in which they can most effectively be used by Him? I propose that we never again use the expression “call to the ministry” unless we are careful to apply it to each and every Christian. All this will neither be easy nor popular. Yet at some point it must be done. One of the main reasons for burn-out in the pastorate is that it is often carried out alone. The New Testament never envisaged such a predicament. Ministry needs to be shared. Jesus realized this: He sent out the apostles two by two. Paul realized this when he appointed elders (note the plural) in every church. And it needs to be modeled by today’s Christian leaders. It is not until church members are enthusiastic about their own God-given gifts that we will succeed in being the Body of Christ.
He’s right. We’ve all been “called to the ministry” – that is, we’ve all been called by God to use our gifts, talents, energies, and opportunities to serve one another and the people around us. There is no other type of service.
If you are using “called to the ministry” in a way that separates some Christians from others, then I don’t think you’re helping the church.
People are suffering all around us. Are you giving God the opportunity to help through you?
Think about the people living around you, in your neighborhood or just down the road. Did you know they are suffering?
It’s true. There are marital problems, children problems, abuse, drugs, poverty, crime, hunger, joblessness. Yes, right there in your neighborhood.
Do you not see them? Do you not know about them? The problems are there.
Did you know that God desires to work among the people with those problems? Did you know that he wants to do that while working through you?
It’s true.
Oh, I know what you’re thinking. You can’t solve the sex trafficking issue or the problem with drugs or the pains of alcoholism, drug abuse, prostitution, etc. That’s true, too.
But, did you know that God never asks you to solve those problems?
Nope. He only asks one thing. He asks that you allow him to work through you in the life of someone (or some people) who are hurting… Jesus called them “the least.”
Are you giving God the opportunity to help through you?