On Connecting People and Running the Bases

Part of my responsibility at the church is to help people connect. Translation: I want to learn their current situation, and offer them the opportunity to take their next step in growth. For some this means finding a place to serve; for others it means connecting into a small group, attending Newcomers, etc.

As we grow, this has become a bigger task since there are more people that need to take their next step, but there is still just one of me! However, one thing that we are NOT is high pressure, and that seems to have a strong attraction for a lot of people. In some recent conversations, I have learned of some who are enjoying a much needed rest at Seacoast from a prior church burnout.

I think that is really cool! They will serve and give their energies eventually, as the Holy Spirit leads, and we'll be ready to help them at the right time. For me it's a different way of thinking about ministry. Moving people through pressure or intimidation is unhealthy and counterproductive, and it requires much less faith than trusting God to move and hearts to respond to His leading. The natural tendency is to try to force the issue, but that is leaning on human strength to accomplish God-sized goals, and it will never work long term!

Last night (yes, that was Sunday night!!) Seacoast attended the local Greenville Drive baseball game. During those few hours of connecting with people, the following took place: Possibly three new teens going to youth camp, four new people interested in small groups, a couple will begin serving for the first time this Sunday, adult lady interested in attending youth camp to help with our female students, great conversations with several of our students, mild sunburn, a bad case of b.o., and two of my three girls ran the bases after the game. (One was at home with the flu.)

Well, you can't get any more low pressure than a baseball game, yet there was so much connecting that happened in those few hours. Relax! I'm thinking God was at the ballpark, too! :)