Monday night, for the second straight week, we did not go door to door with the Gospel. Last week several people were busy or ill or any number of things, but excuses aside, it was a week of rest. This past week (2/16) we went a different direction with our evangelism. While we spend much time and effort (rightfully so, in my view) in outreach to the community and trying to let every ear hear the Good News that Christ is risen (and if we will simply die to ourselves and hear His call for us to have Life and Life abundant, then we will be saved thanks to God's grace and Christ's righteousness being put in our place), I think we often neglect to reach out to one another within the ministry and meet our own needs, physical and spiritual.
I am not saying that we need to look after ourselves first and others after that. Do not misunderstand me. That would be completely contrary to the teaching of the Bible and the example given to us by Christ. But as a ministry, if we are not filled with love, and filled with the Spirit, and are not of one accord with one another, then all of the evangelism in the world will not help us if people come to the church and do not find the Bride of Christ to be one unified body in love with it's Savior, and that love being demonstrated by love within itself. People will know that we are Christ's disciples by our love for another.
All of this being said, a group of us went to Meredith College to listen to a pretty awesome performance by our very own Becca (for sake of not putting last names on here, Olivia's sister. I do not think we have multiple Becca's or Rebecca's in our ministry, but to make sure people know of whom I am speaking, so that she gets proper credit for her talents). She is in what I believe is her last semester of a Music degree at Meredith, and had to do a voice recital as part of her graduation requirements. It would be a blessing to have her display her talent more often (also, Ive heard some pretty good instrumentals by her via Myspace), but this was possibly a one time opportunity, and given the opportunity to go and show support, the Monday night visitation group was excited to go and see her. As a ministry, we need to be more active in getting involved in one another's lives and interests, not just showing interest when people are coming in the doors on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights.
You may notice a trend in the future with a push for small groups and extra-church involvement with one another (by extra church, I do not mean more "church" as in the building, but outside of "church" as in the building), so that we can really impact the world around us where we are. It is difficult to persuade the world that we as Christians love and care for them, as opposed to pseudo-Christians and hypocrites, if we are simply inviting them to things where we meet and gather and do Christian things, but if we will take the church beyond the walls, and allow them to see us in their lives and how we are and who we are the the Love that binds us.... How great of a difference might that make? -Bubba
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