Finding the Way Home
The eNewsletter Archive

Below is the archived version of Marshall Hayden's eNewesletter "Finding the Way Home." If you would like to be added to to mailing list, please send a blank email to evangelism-subscribe@worthingtoncc.org.

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September 2007

Artificial or Natural

This week I got another of those phone calls that is a combination of a worthy intention and a potentially profitable business. It seems like such a proper and workable idea that a number of companies have rushed in to address what they perceive to be an opportunity, and a need. “We would like to send you sheets of address labels,” they say, “that will be a great help to the church’s outreach. It will generate new attendees and new members.” The addresses are combed from the lists of property sales; and information about the church can be sent to those folks who have just moved into the community.

To be honest, we tried that several years ago, and a few times since. Once we bought labels for a year, wrote a welcome letter, and dutifully sent along information about the church and its programs. Then we figured that we could get the names and addresses ourselves from the local weekly papers; and we started again. Why wouldn’t new folks be eager to know about a full-service church in their community that was set up to care about and serve small children, teenagers, singles, families, and older adults – in the name of Jesus Christ?

But you and I should have figured it out long ago. A mailing just doesn’t get “family” done. And anything less than personal touch doesn’t build a vital spiritual community. The bulk mailers who are in the business of making a few dollars’ profit from a lot of people feel that they can have some success by converting a small percentage of those they contact into customers. But we’re not looking to reap a few responses from a mass of profit producing clients. We’re looking to build a Christ-centered community, a home on the way home.

Last week a number of us were inspired and encouraged by the insights of Rick Stedman, who leads a dynamic congregation in northern California. He made it simple. “Love people one at a time,” he said. That’s natural, not artificial. Not bulk mailing! Not a scripted invitation from a telephone bank! (At our house we often choose simply to hang up when we are greeted by silence, then by the voice of a sales-person waiting to see which phone will be answered). Jesus touched folks, wept with them, enjoyed their company, and told them the truth. He loved them one at a time, before and after (and by His spirit even during) the time that He taught them in large groups. Let’s do the same, to the immeasurable benefit of those who are loved.