I Love It When People Get It
As I connect with leaders and volunteers at Hope Summit, I love it when people catch the vision for evangelism. It isn’t easy to change direction and do something differently when you’ve been doing it the same way for years. I had the privilege of meeting with our Arts Team and began to cast vision for our new direction. People are being stretched and challenged to grow in new ways as we implement a new philosophy of ministry in our church.
However challenging it is, I know its worth it when a teenage girl approaches me after the meeting and says, “I’m the only one in my family that comes to church, and if we actually do this, my mom just might come with me!”
I’ve had numerous conversations like that one, and I also love it when I get emails like this:
Sitting in the Worship team meeting tonight was exciting. It is so exciting when you begin a new family and can see the babes come and add to the family. Each new growth adds a different personality. Tonight I saw Hope Summit working on enlarging and adding to the family. It is exciting and scary as well exhilarating all at the same time.
When we are doing 1st Impressions, we are usually in the back and watch the people closer to the back of the church. Several of the young men are there and come in together and leave together. They want to be friends and have even opened opportunities to communicate with others. They only get so deep in conversations–although I am unsure who stymies the conversation. It will be exciting to see them more comfortable and accepting the message if delivered in a way that is familiar to them, and they won’t have to work so hard to translate it into their lives. Make it easier for people and they will be open to learn.
Thank you, for having courage.
As we continue to move forward I am confident there will be more challenges. But when we see results in the hearts and lives of the people we serve, we can stay motivated to press on. For leaders, consistent vision casting is key in capturing the imaginations of those we lead.
I think this posting is excellent because it really brings any believer back to the underlying mission Jesus came on Earth to share with all, the Great Commission. It always makes my heart break when I think back to the time when someone told me about Jesus and wonder where I would be without that moment. That makes me want to follow along and also pass the Word along.