Wednesday, February 6, 2002
|
Wednesday, February 6, 2002 |
|
'Church shopping' works both ways By REV JOHN HATCHER There's so very much in print about what people look for in a church. Many ministers call the process "church shopping." We have found just in our Fayette area community that people will shop for the right church upward to two years. Just in our relatively small church, we have had people to "shop around" for more than two years, but finally move out to shop somewhere else. People shop for churches because they believe deep down in their heart that there is a perfect church out there somewhere in God's vast universe. But I am sorry to burst your bubble. There are not perfect churches, even the ones with a perfect steeple, perfect landscaping, and a perfect promotional piece. People shop for churches looking for a funland for their children. Often they discover a church has only a few children, so they keeping on searching for Disneyland Church. My only question: how did churches with multi-faceted children/youth programs get their start unless some family decided to anchor their kids to a kid-less church and decided to build and grow. Although I, along with fellow pastors, could pontificate long and hard about church shoppers, this column today focuses on what pastors look for in new members. That is, if were so privileged to go "member shopping" what would attract us? First, pastors love folks who attend the main services of the church. My former pastor once said to me, "There's sacramental power in a full house." So true. When the church house is full, everything about the service carries more potential. We like folks who are faithful to the services. Second, pastors love members who hunger and thirst for the things of the Lord. It thrills us to see people come with Bible in hand, eager to participate in the singing and worship, and on the edge of their seats as the message is delivered. There's a sense in which the congregation hungry to hear the Word of the Lord can actually pull virtue and power out of the speaking minister just because they are eager to receive. Third, pastors look for members who want to serve. It's been often said that churches have too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Members fall all over themselves volunteering for the committee in charge of the blade over the pastor's jugular vein. Too few, however, volunteer to clean the bathrooms, tidy up the church kitchen, or canvass the neighborhood. Fourth, pastors get turned on by members who show evidence that their lives are been transformed for the better. In fact, I know most pastors can make it through a ride in ulcer gulch having heard about a member who has had a spiritual victory of some sort. Fifth, pastors deeply appreciate members who demonstrate their gratitude for the church, the ministries, and for the pastor personally. Pastors are not in it for the money. They are in it because of the call of God on their lives. But, it sure makes our calling much more of a joy when we hear those two rare words, "thank you." We can make it a week on a genuine, "thank you." Therefore, once you are done shopping for their right church, dig in and make yourself the reputation of being a good church member.
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. |
