We sat quietly, reading the menu. Everything sounded so delicious. It was hard to choose. But soon our choices were made and our orders spoken to the waiter. He filled our water glasses and left, and we began to talk.
Almost fifteen years had passed since I first met her. Although I could tell she was older, she had the same energy and sparkle that endeared me to her then. We had kept in touch, but almost ten years had passed since that cool spring day when we joined her for a conference at her church. That was the last time we saw her. Now she had a dear husband by her side.
By the time the steaming plates of food arrived, we had compared notes on others that had formed our circle of friends fifteen years ago. Now we moved on to contemporary news. We filled them in on our ministry. They filled us in on their work and family. We knew they were not attending the same church where we had last seen her, so we asked her about that change.
“I love my old church,” she explained, “but they have so many talented people there. They didn’t really need me. Our little church needs more people who will serve. We are very happy to be able to serve there.”
After extended conversation, our hearts were full and so were our bellies. We promised to stay in touch and went our separate ways.
Since that conversation, I have been thinking more about her comments. One of the things Charlie and I love about small churches is that there is no such thing as unemployment. Everyone’s hands and gifts are needed. No one slips in unnoticed or leaves without a greeting. There is a need and a place for everyone.
It is all too easy to choose a church the way we choose our an item off a menu.
Large churches have taken a major place in America, and I’m thankful for them. But every once in a while I wish that more of the talented people from those large churches would take our friend’s advice to spread out to help some of the smaller churches. She’s right. The large churches don’t need more talented people, but the small ones really do. If two or three more young families would join one of the small churches where we have been, maybe they would be able to do more to spread God’s good news to the neighborhood around them.
Almost fifteen years had passed since I first met her. Although I could tell she was older, she had the same energy and sparkle that endeared me to her then. We had kept in touch, but almost ten years had passed since that cool spring day when we joined her for a conference at her church. That was the last time we saw her. Now she had a dear husband by her side.
By the time the steaming plates of food arrived, we had compared notes on others that had formed our circle of friends fifteen years ago. Now we moved on to contemporary news. We filled them in on our ministry. They filled us in on their work and family. We knew they were not attending the same church where we had last seen her, so we asked her about that change.
“I love my old church,” she explained, “but they have so many talented people there. They didn’t really need me. Our little church needs more people who will serve. We are very happy to be able to serve there.”
After extended conversation, our hearts were full and so were our bellies. We promised to stay in touch and went our separate ways.
Since that conversation, I have been thinking more about her comments. One of the things Charlie and I love about small churches is that there is no such thing as unemployment. Everyone’s hands and gifts are needed. No one slips in unnoticed or leaves without a greeting. There is a need and a place for everyone.
It is all too easy to choose a church the way we choose our an item off a menu.
- This one appeals to my tastes.
- This one looks better to me.
- I had something like this before, and I didn’t like it.
- My friend says this one is really good.
Large churches have taken a major place in America, and I’m thankful for them. But every once in a while I wish that more of the talented people from those large churches would take our friend’s advice to spread out to help some of the smaller churches. She’s right. The large churches don’t need more talented people, but the small ones really do. If two or three more young families would join one of the small churches where we have been, maybe they would be able to do more to spread God’s good news to the neighborhood around them.
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