Oh The Things We May Do

In my middle school Bible class today the topic was “How involved are you in the work in your congregation?” One of the students on a scale from 1-10 gave herself an 8 the others were at 6. A scenario was painted in the lesson book about a Christian who was depressed because he couldn’t lead songs, preach, or teach classes.

In my opinion, as important as those things are, they just represent the tip of the iceberg (so to speak). You can excel in those areas and yet be a failure as a congregation. Here are a few things that I have observed our members being active in that might inspire you.

- Sending cards. It’s nice to get a random unexpected card in the mail. Julie used to send a card out for everyone’s birthday in the congregation (now she does other things). We had an older member who is in a racial minority who hadn’t attended in a while. We sent a card that everyone in the congregation signed. He came back and told me… I didn’t know that many people cared about me. A terminally ill neighbor asked me to do her funeral (which I had never done before). In the audience was some bigwig from the newspaper. He sent me a card (which I still have) that was very complimentary.

- Visiting members. Several of our women go visit on a regular basis. Just today John and Nelda went to visit sister Carrizalez. Marc drops in one people on a regular basis.

- Being friendly. Especially to visitors. I have had several visitors tell me that parkway is the friendliest congregation they have ever visited. Gospel Meeting Preachers tell me that they are encouraged by Parkway’s friendliness. They say that it is discouraging when five minutes after the closing prayer everyone has left and they are locking up the building.

- Prayers. Praying is incredibly important especially when praying for others.

- Encouragement. Always find some way to encourage others… don’t withhold encouragement. Many, many, years ago I gave a talk on a Wednesday night and sister Edna Osborne came up to me and said… you’re going to make a wonderful Elder one day. I’ve never forgotten that.

- Attendance can be encouraging. I’ve had many times when I didn’t feel like going to services but did anyway thinking… I’m feeling bad but I can feel bad at services as easily as I can at home.

- Being prepared for Bible class and participating in the discussion.

- Communion prep. I told the kids they can tell their parents… I want to be more involved and signed us up for communion preparation.

- Building Maintenance. Several of the older men meet at the building and work.

- You can give money or gifts. Sometimes it’s nice to receive a gift (unexpectedly). You might do that for a Bible class teacher, the preacher or just anyone. Larry White is stationed in Washington DC for 120 days and Josh and Tiffaney contacted a few people about financing air plane tickets so he could visit his family more. Boom! Widows need a little help from time to time but will not ask for it. Do something.

- Holiday Baskets. Amy and others every year prepare Holiday baskets for our shut ins and others. Members contribute and some like Jeanne Conway and Marie Edmonds knit and sew.

- Marc mentioned in his lesson this morning that one of the members makes quilts for the shut ins and made one for him too. I have no idea who that is.

- We have these social groups that have been working very well. Dru had the idea, got the OK and followed through with it.

- I never had heard of “meal trains” but it’s some kind on internet things where you can sign up to provide meals for our families in need. Jessica excels in this.

- Members donate services and other things. Doc (our retired Chiropractor) adjusts people for free at the building. Glenn shares the fish he catches with members, the Cargile’s slaughtered some steers recently and brought meat to the building. Others bring citrus, books, clothing, etc.

- Sharing information. This is like the nervous system of the church body. We have a private Facebook members page where all sorts of info. and needs are shared.

- Arlie Cooksey and the Turners arrange spring and fall picnics at the “Arlie park”.

- The Cargiles have their annual Hayride/cookout/activity every year.

- Antia (on her own) started working with the young men on presenting “talks” on our Wednesday special service once a month.

- I send out email once a week and have three email lists: members, former members and others.

- Several years ago I started a blog and started writing articles. That blog has had over 60,000 views from all over the world. I have people who email me that I don’t even know who tell me how much they appreciate it. If you visit in Russia and say… you don’t happen to know Rob Perkins do you? You might be surprised. Lol! I never expected that when I started the thing.

Thes are just the things I know of. Cast your bread on the waters. Give a little effort and you might be surprised how the Lord transforms you and transforms the congregation.