I said something from the platform this week that probably caught some off guard. It brought a round of laughter, possibly nervous laughter... What was it? "Some of you won't really like the surprise we have lined up for next week, but that's OK because... IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU." It's a message I expect to repeat often from the beginning so that church shoppers and consumers just move on. I will also make the point that it's not about me either. It's not about buildings, or church growth, or being different, or ____________(you fill in the blank). So what's TheBOD about, you ask? God's glory. You see we are on a mission to bring God glory. To reflect His glory. In the words of The Blues Brothers... WE'RE ON A MISSION FROM GOD. We might expand that and say we are on a mission for God's glory.
Today, I came across this post at the CHURCH MARKETING SUCKS website. You should read the entire post but one thing jumped out at me. It was this question:
Did anyone welcome you personally? That is, who didn’t have a name tag that says, “Greeter.” The “passing of the peace” doesn’t count either.
We've worked very hard to create systems and name tags and opportunities to meet and greet during the service (i.e. "passing of the peace) but the reality is, although guests appreciate the effort, what they really want to know is that someone is genuinely glad they have come to visit. That someone is not only doing their "job" as a greeter, but is really glad to see them. The reason it matters to them is obvious, but the reason it matters to us is that it means we are ON MISSION and not just consuming "church" and what we like. Reaching out beyond our comfort intentionally, because we desire to BRING GOD GLORY. Because He means that much to us and we can do nothing else but share His goodness and love. When we understand that it's not about us and live lives ON MISSION, we won't have room for all the people. God's love and glory is irresistible. Lives ON MISSION reflect that glory. So the question we each need to ask ourselves isn't "what do I like?", it's what will bring God the most glory and how can I help make it happen. When that happens, you'd better not blink.... because we will truly be on the brink of something remarkable.
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