People are drawn to people who care

I hope this doesn't surprize anyone.  I pray the Holy Spirit convicts those who need to hear it. 

This is a copy of an article I found written by "Church Forward".  It is entitled "A big draw for first time guests - Ministry to the Poor".  I thought that if even one pastor read it and considered it then it was worth the time.

A big draw for first time guests - Ministry to the Poor

LifeWay Research recently published in their newsletter a new study about ministry to the poor. Obviously, the church should serve the poor and reach out to the hurting. What this study reveals is that churches remaining obedient to Christ’s example of serving the poor are also more likely to attract guests.


This research blurb comes from their findings:

Americans indicate that an active ministry to the poor is more likely to draw them to a church than knowing that it is made up of predominantly young families or their neighbors.

That’s the finding of a recent survey by LifeWay Research that asked 1,600 American adults what factors would affect their decision to visit a church for the first time. The survey also found that a congregation predominantly made up of senior adults is among the greatest deterrents to potential visitors.

Thirty-four percent of Americans say that they would visit a church with an active ministry to the poor in their community while 31 percent indicate that they would visit a church where several families in their neighborhood regularly attend. Twenty-five percent say that they would visit a church made up predominantly of young families with children, and just 13 percent would visit a congregation made up predominantly of senior adults.

Ed Stetzer, church research guru and President of LifeWay Research, comments on the findings:

It appears that people are interested in what a church is doing to impact and transform its community. This seems to be an opportunity for churches and Christians to validate the gospel by showing the good news of Christ as they share it.

Even the unchurched in America know that Jesus came healing the sick and serving the poor so they are surprised to see Him represented by a church uninvolved in such activities. Churches would do well to be engaged with, and also to be known for, caring for the poor.

How is your church reaching out to the poor? I’d enjoy hearing some of your success stories. And how did you share these stories so that others know about it? In your experience, are people not connected to your church more interested in attending because of your ministry to the poor?

Enablers

Way back last August when my bible study group was talking about coming down and checking out what Breakthrough Ministries was doing with the homeless in St. Paul, one person of the group mentioned that there was part of her that just felt that this sort of work was just “enabling” the people there to not have to really have to work on improving their situation.

I obviously didn’t agree. However, the thought is not totally unfounded in all cases. It’s one of those things, along with that fact that all our clothes don’t get into the most needed hands that we have talked about having to live with. If we let this upset us too much, the really needy wouldn’t get the help they get. (But you all already know that).

But one doesn’t have to look too hard to find examples of the “enabler” theory. A few of these moments from last week were when one of the homeless women asked for gloves. We produced a new pair for her but she didn’t want them because they were black and she only would wear colored gloves! Another woman gladly took them instead.

My son Miles told me a guy was asking him for jeans but he noted the guy had new, designer jeans on at the time. Quite a few of the people seem to have better clothing than I own….and having a cell phone is quite common.

And there is the guy that pulls up every week in a car wearing a tie and dress clothes. And we always struggle with asking him to only take 4 items. His usual answer for our request is do we have a bag? He then uses this bag to hide the fact that he has taken well over the amount we just asked him to respect. I just told Miles that we aren’t going to call the police on him for it....we just live with it.

There are those that don’t seem to have a mental illness, or drug problem that just seem content in their present situation. Most certainly though there aren’t many in this category. I wish I could ask them all, what their story was. I’m sure that would be very interesting indeed!

I just keep thinking just what Dave has said several times. It’s not about the clothes and food, it’s about trying to be a conduit to the people there that allows a relationship to develop between the people there and God. So in fact, we ARE the enablers down there but in a good way. That little twist is what makes it easy for me to look past all the above-mentioned imperfections in the process.

Anyhow, just some thoughts bouncing around in my head…

-John

Offended

First of all, this topic seems to point to the condition of our sinful nature and our struggle with sin as individuals. However, the problem of “Offenses” also speaks to the greater problem real followers of Christ are up against. Did I say “real followers”? The wrap on Christianity from the secular worldview is that we are simply hypocrites. Why? That little problem of Obedience (defined as “complying with or submissive to authority”). We know that Christ is the “authority” and that we are to comply and be submissive to Him. So why are we labeled “hypocrites”? Is it possible that the vast majority of Christians are really not followers at all rather, enthusiastic admirers who want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them? If everyone who claims to be a Christian actually did what the word says, would there be any merit to the claim that we are all hypocrites? Look, Christians are either followers or they are hypocrites. As stated in James 1:22 “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says…”


Offenses can cause harm to relationship and since our entire human experience is all about relationships, I think it must be important to understand what God says about the subject. So, what does the Word of God say about this topic?

A lot! The Bible talks about being offended 73 times.

IF you have something against someone (Taking Offense):
• Ephesians 4:26 “and, don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” The Bible doesn’t tell us that we should not feel angry, but it points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. If vented thoughtlessly, anger can hurt others and relationships. If bottled up inside, it can cause us to become bitter and destroy us from within. Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships rather than destroys them. If we nurse our anger, we will give the devil an opportunity to divide us.

• Matthew 18:15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense…” These are Jesus’ guidelines for dealing with those who sin against us. They were meant for (1) Christians, not unbelievers, (2) sins committed against you and not others, and (3) conflict resolution in the context of the church, not the community at large. Jesus’ words are not a license for a frontal attack on every person who hurts or slights us. They are not a license to start a destructive gossip campaign or to call for a church trial. They are designed to reconcile those who disagree so that all Christians can live in harmony. When someone wrongs us, we often do the opposite of what Jesus recommends. We turn away in hatred or resentment, seek revenge, or engage in gossip. By contrast, we should go to that person first, as difficult as that may be. Then we should forgive that person as often as he or she needs it. This will create a much better chance of restoring the relationship.

If you know someone has something against you (Giving Offense):
Watch out! God also has something to say to us if we have knowledge that we may have offended someone else.
Matthew 5:23-24 “So, if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave you sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or a grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others. Out attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God.

What happens if we let offenses “settle in”? Bitterness!
Hebrews 12:15 “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you , corrupting many”. Like a small root that grows into a great tree, bitterness springs up in our hearts and overshadows even our deepest Christian relationships. A “poisonous root of bitterness” comes when we allow disappointment to grow into resentment, or when we nurse grudges over past hurts. Bitterness brings with it jealousy, dissension, and immorality. When the Holy Spirit fills us, however, he can heal the hurt that causes bitterness.

How should we deal with an offense?
First off, we need to learn to overlook the offense not the person. Luke 6:27-28 “But to those who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. pray for those who hurt you.” Jesus wasn’t talking about having affection for our enemies; he was talking about an act of the will. You can’t “fall into” this kind of love – it takes conscious effort. Loving our enemies means acting in their best interests. We can pray for them, and we can think of ways to help them. Grant them the same respect and rights as you desire yourself.

So, what are the steps:
1. Ask yourself: Is this an offense or a conviction? What? We must be careful that we do not mistake the two. We need people to tell us the truth and when they do we must consider whether there is any truth in what they are saying. If so, then own it and don’t get offended.

2. Consider the person who has offended you: Is this person a friend or do you consider them an enemy (a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent)?

3. Remind yourself: I am NOT just an enthusiastic admirer rather, I am follower of Christ and followers do what the word says.

4. Trust God: Bring this matter to the Lord by seeking Him through prayer and petition. Go to the Word and trust what God is telling you.

5. Take Action: Take courage, lay down your rights and expectations and immediately go to that person to discuss the offense. Invite the Lord into your conversation, bring honor, seek forgiveness and reconciliation. The goal is to build the relationship not destroy it.

Is there ever a time when it is good to offend someone?

Yes. When it is done in the right spirit (the Holy Spirit) to stand up for truth or righteousness. Comfort the afflicted and convict the comfortable – if we do this, chances are you will offend people and there is nothing wrong with that.

So now what?

Examine yourself:

• Who do I have an offense with?

• Who have I offended?

Clothe yourself with humility, lay down your pride and go – now, and make it right with them

God certainly has spoke to me personally through this study and I pray that you too may have recieved His wisdom in this teaching.

God bless

David Engman