Last Sunday a lady grabbed my hand and would not let go! She had something to say and wanted to make sure I was listening. I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t ever think I wasn’t listening but I digress…She preceded to tell me that she had been at Fellowship for 3 weeks now, but here is the point she wanted to make: “your handshake meant the world to me three weeks ago.” She went on to say that she loved our church as if it was what she had been looking for. Notice, she didn’t comment on the preaching or the singing, but a handshake…Someone warmly reaching out with a tight squeeze of the hand, looking into the eyes of a guest, and with a smile on their face say it’s good to see you today.
Have you ever driven to some event and wondered, what’s the point? Have you ever been so down that you asked yourself why go on? Who cares anyway? Then to top it all off you walk into an unfamiliar environment that is filled with people who all seem to know each other but who don’t know you. This is not a good time, yet sometimes we wonder why people don’t come back or don’t come at all.
Imagine if someone’s spiritual future depends on how you greet them today? What are their chances? What are the odds that they will be encouraged by you warmly reaching out. I want to challenge you to do a couple of things as we begin this fall…
1. Pray for your church--not just this week, but every week, that God will continue to use us to reach people who don't yet know how perfectly He loves them.
2. Be on time to worship--God is doing some amazing things in our church's worship climate through Jeff and his team. You NEED to be a part of it.
3. Invite someone you know to experience Fellowship and God's moving THIS WEEKEND.
4. BE NICE – don’t just plop down in your seat, go greet someone. Get out of your comfort zone and remember that someone’s spiritual future might depend on you!
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I ventured out of my comfort zone by enrolling in Fellowship's new singles group today (led by Leah G.)... perhaps my spiritual guidance will continue to prosper through this group.
Have a wonderful week!
My own Sunday reflections(Ok if I use this title, John?)....I just wanted to tell everyone what an awesome day we had at Fellowship today!! Heather and I are just so grateful for our Pastor, family and all the people we are meeting at Fellowship. On our way home from Youth Group tonight, we felt like we just wanted more of Fellowship! It was such a fulfilling day starting with an awesome, yet challenging message this morning and ending with a dynamic inaugural night for Fusion! (Somewhere in between was some football game that I wasted 3 hrs of my life watching.) I guess that just means that we're ready for Life Groups to begin! The challenge for us to make it about the world and not about us is quite humbling. It's definitely tough at times. But that's why I'm grateful for working with teens, because you really do get a fulfillment reaching out for teens who don't think they have a hope. The serious reality is that we must take advantage of every opportunity (even if it's an hour and a half on Sunday nights) we have when it comes to reaching out to the teens. And that carries over to our work lives and family lives as well. For all those wondering...Fusion was awesome tonight! We had a great turnout, worship and drama were awesome and Ryan did a fabulous job for opening night! Hopefully, I'm not stealing any thunder from you Ryan! Act surprised if Ryan tells you any of this, because I know he's proud of his group! All right, that's it for now, I just wanted to share my joy and how pumped I am about how good today was. Have a great week Fellowship family!
"Starts with a Handshake"
What a fitting introduction. The service was awesome with a few surprises for me personally. During the service and when we turned and said hello to everyone, behind me sat a guy whom I knew for many years. Obviously we didn’t have much chance at the time to play catch up until after the service. It wasn’t until then we briefly spoke and I found that he was hurting. The message spoken was one that gave him hope. It was designed just for him. Thank you for yielding to Gods prompting John. I hope to see my old friend again and personally invited him back.
I also turned to see if my son Adam was present at church in the morning. He spent the night at a friend’s house who also attends fellowship. To my delight I saw one of my therapists who worked with me shortly after my shoulder surgery. She was an intern at Premier Orthopedics. I briefly explained my injury and how I had to cancel the Russian Missions trip when we first met. She was very interested and we spoke in length at further appointments. I sensed she was a Christ follower and asked her were she attended church. As a college student she really didn’t have a church home. She came to Fellowship the one time before heading home for a few weeks in north central Pa. Again you spoke on small groups and in particular the singles group. After the service someone did “Shake her Hand” and invite her to the singles group. She stated her interest in joining.
This all goes back to statements I have heard many times.
1 - We need to meet people where they are at.
2 - We need to be relevant.
To God goes all the Glory,
Chuck
So I have been meaning to read your blogs since Wednesday, and finally got around to it today, and caught up a bit. This particular blog was a good reminder for me to try to reach out a little more to new people in the church. I am around the kids so much, which to me is very important. A lot of times I find myself talking to someone I don't know and realize I actually know who there kids are. I know I can do better with meeting more of the parents- not only to get to know them, but so they get to know me. I would hope this would also build their trust in the time we are spending with their kids and the foundation we are helping to lay in their lives. Hope you have a wonderful week!
BTW- I have my maiden name on here and I hope you don't confuse someone else with me again:)
John - After your message Sunday, I am even more pumped up about what we are going to be doing with the Hospitality Team. (Ryan wants me to find a new name - I'm working on it)We are going to have "World Class Service" from the parking lot to the seats. Actually, maybe I should say "Heavenly" service.
Also, I know you have probably heard this before, but you are leading this church the right way and we're going in the right direction. Its tough to be the one with the vision. You can see the future so clearly, but sometimes it seems like nobody else can. Be encouraged! You are a special kind of leader and we are all blessed as a result.
Thanks for all you do!
Way to be Stephen. I am proud of you stepping out Bro! This is going to be a great experience for you. I am a big fan of Leah...she will do a great job.
Thanks Jeff. You and Heather are "God's favor" to Fellowship. Thanks for giving props to Ryan and Fusion. It rocked!
It's all about hope Chuck! I know that you "get it" and that pumps me up. Thanks again for the "sweat equity" you spent to make Fusion reality.
Thanks Chrissy R. I appreciate all you do serving with our kids. You and Stu have made a huge difference. Keep reaching out to the parents so you can connect them to their kids...that is huge!
You are the man Matt! And you cook awesome ribs! Thanks for the feedback....I am thrilled that God has sent you to take our "hospitality" team to a whole new level.
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