“Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.” (Colossians 4:5-6 MSG)
The prologue: Earlier this week I was talking with a pastor friend of mine who had called to tell me he had finally opened up his church for in person services last week. I asked him, “How did it go?” He told me his numbers were down, as could be expected. He also vented a little as he told me how a few returning members, instead of celebrating the return; as opposed to commenting on how well the church had been kept up over the last year and a half, or acknowledging the continued work of the faithful one who did the behind the scenes during the shutdown. I asked his email and told him I would send him a copy of a meditation I’m sending out to people of many churches at the end of the week, today actually, in hopes that it would help circumvent or prevent such behavior in all churches as they return to regular worship formats or even just in general. I suggested when he receives it to delete this prologue, and to forward it to all his members. So here goes. I hope it find receptive ears and responsive hearts’, helping my friend and believers all over the world.
The presented meditation: The pastor shows up for church in the same black suit he has worn the last three Sundays! I ought to know because the pastor is yours truly. The wrinkles in the bend of the arms of his well-worn suit jacket will affirm that they (the sleeves) indeed faithfully attended church the last three Sundays, to say the least. But I will just refer to myself as “Pastor” in this meditation. With social distancing, the Pastor was sure nobody would notice his clothing. But look what happens and look what doesn’t happen!
The service had not begun, and the Pastor is walking around saying hello to members of the congregation, early arrivals, brothers, and sisters in Christ of all ages, including toddlers. Of course, as with many churches today, there were mostly women and toddlers. One of the sisters, an officer in the church engages in a brief dialogue with the Pastor. Let’s call it “Church Talk.” Go through the dialogue and see if you have any takeaways.
Sis. A: Good morning Pastor King.
Pastor: Good morning! How are you!
Sis. A: I’m doing good. How about you! Is there anything I can do to help you?
Pastor: I’m okay. I saw you sweeping the front steps off when you came in. Thank you!
Sis. A: I like your purple tie and matching handkerchief! That’s nice! Let me see your socks. Are they purple too?
Pastor: Yes.
Sis. A: Well you did good!
Pastor: Pray for me.
Sis. A. “You know I always do.
After the brief dialogue, the Pastor heads toward the pulpit and does what he was charged to do some 36 years ago: Preach the word. Have you got your takeaways already from the “Church Talk?” Did you notice there was complimenting in the conversation versus criticizing? Did you see there was no nit-picking, nothing negative mentioned in the brief “Church Talk?” Did you see how the self-esteem of the Pastor was most likely maintained or even enhanced? Did you get the impression that Sis. A. was using interaction skills that don’t interfere with the Pastor/parishioner relationship?
What are some of your other takeaways? I know you have some. Add them to what I already was focusing on in the questions asked in the preceding paragraph. Oh I’m not done with your assignment! Now, think about how you are going to watch your “Church Talk” tomorrow in church. And think about how you can use the principles practiced by Sis. A. any day of the week and in every conversation.
Tomorrow is a holiday, but remember it is still a holy day, The Lord’s Day! Make your way to church wherever you are! Even if you are in a family get together somewhere distant, definitely bring church and your “Church Talk” and your takeaways from today with you! Oh, I better go press my suit jacket sleeves! Be blessed!
“Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” (Colossians 3:17 MSG)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King