Ministries:
Adult | Teens | Children

Pastor's Pen's:
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2007

Grace Church of Burlington August 26, 2007   “A friend is someone who thinks you’re a good egg, even though you’re a little cracked.”                                                                                                        Erma Bombeck             Have you ever thought about this? We as people greatly value human life. It is part of our design as image bearers to seek to protect and preserve our lives and the lives of others. That’s why a pro-life worldview for a Christian is so logical. Even in the secular world we honor, reward and look up to those who seek to save lives. Firefighters, EMTs and police officers are looked up to and admired because they risk their lives to save someone else’s. Most of us would be willing to go to great risk to save someone else’s physical life, yet someone’s physical life has no where near the value of their soul. If we really care for someone, then we must care about their soul.             The first step to caring for someone is just as simple as being friendly. There are some people who are naturally friendly. They find it easy to be gregarious, sociable and to reach out to complete strangers. Most of us though aren’t “naturally” friendly. I know that I’m not. We fear risk and rejection. We don’t want to be embarrassed or look stupid. Sometimes, too,  we are so self-absorbed that we rarely really think about others unless it is to get them interested in our lives.             Most churches like to think of themselves as a friendly church...and they usually are...among themselves. It’s easy to greet and talk to those who you’re familiar with and know that you’re safe with. The true measure of our church’s friendliness though is how outsiders feel. Are they made to feel welcome? Accepted? Do the “regulars” engage them in conversation?             We have a biblical responsibility to make newcomers feel welcome. We don’t want anything to discourage them from coming to Christ or growing in their spiritual walk. Most of them are nervous already. While Grace is familiar turf for us, for them it’s new and they’re not sure what to expect. It’s like starting a new job or moving into a new neighborhood. It’s always a little unnerving to be the “new guy.” That’s why we need to do everything that we can to alleviate their insecurities.             So let me suggest some basic steps that most of us  know, yet often forget.  It’s not that we intend to be unfriendly, we just get “sloppy.”             a) Smile. It’s sometimes said “smile and the whole world smiles with you.” That’s probably a stretch, a smile though is incredibly powerful. Wearing a warm smile can draw people to you, put others at ease, and even cheer you up. So try to look people in the eyes and just smile.             b) Learn to speak small talk. A foundation must be laid before a house can be built. Friendships are started with small talk. When our children were small, we taught them basic conversation starters. They were: who, what, and where. Who are you? Friendship begins with learning someone’s name and the correct pronunciation of it. Who means are you single or married, do you have kids or not. It’s learning the basics of who they are. What do you do? What means finding out what they do. What do they do for a living? What do they enjoy? Are they a homemaker? Where are you from? Are you from the area? Are you a transplant? What’s your background? These are basic questions that most folk want to share. Someone wisely suggested that if you want to be great communicator, then simply learn to listen. Most people want someone to be interested in them, to find out who they are, what their life story is. And everyone has one.             Now make sure it doesn’t come off like an interrogation. Pay attention to the subtle body language messages that perhaps the person is uncomfortable. Usually though, people are comfortable sharing the basics.             Let me encourage you to take it one step further. Learn the basics and then introduce them to someone else who has some commonalities. Connie Thompson was a master at this and knew how to make people feel comfortable. And she was phenomenal at introducing people to one another.    If someone is from Milwaukee, they probably would like to be introduced to someone else from Milwaukee. If someone is in construction, then they would probably like to be introduced to someone else in construction. Young parents feel comfortable around other young parents.             c) Try to talk about positive topics. New folk don’t want to hear how awful you feel your life is. They don’t want to know your disgust with your job, the weather or politics. Keep it light and focus on your blessings that God has given you. Most folk have enough burdens without having folk they barely know dump theirs on them.             d) Pray each Sunday before you come. Ask the Lord to give you a blessing from the worship service. Ask Him to also use you to be a blessing to someone else. Ask Him to open your eyes to see folk that He can use you to minister to.             God wants Grace to be a friendly church. Can we depend on you to do your part to be part of the Welcome Committee?