June 22, 2008
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Wiser
Absence.mp3
Pastor Wade Burleson
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Enid OK
Call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding (i.e. ask questions). If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand . . . (Proverbs 2:3-5a)
Lesson #1 -- It takes intentional effort to make guests feel welcome.
At some churches we attended, people would simply come up and greet us and say hello. Other times, people would introduce themselves, but you could tell they were uninterested in who we were. On a few occasions, Rachelle and I encountered someone who was very intentional in make us, as guests, feel welcome. They would introduce themselves by saying, "Hi, my name is . Welcome to our church. I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you." The people who went out of their way to make us feel welcome were themselves invested in the ministry. A church that welcomes you warmly is like finding a hidden treasure.
Lesson #2 -- A church is only as effective as individual Christians are genuine.
Todd and Monica Lamb were our hosts for the first Sunday of June as we attended Quail Springs Baptist Church. We had the privilege of eating lunch with them after church, and one of the things we observed is that their dedication to church is only the overflow of their daily lives. At work, school, home, and play, Jesus Christ is central in all they do. Basic, I know, but like gold.
Lesson #3 -- The condition of the church plant prejudices the guest's attitude.
I have no doubt that Lesson #2 is the essence of real church life, but when you know very little about a church, what you observe when you pull into the parking lot already begins to shape your thinking about the church. I would like to commend everyone who participates in volunteerism at our church plant. In addition, I give heartfelt kudos to our custodial staff. You can't help but appreciate folks like Korene Reimer who tends to our flower beds. It makes a difference.
Lesson #4 -- Long term debt can kill effective ministry.
I preached at the largest Southern Baptist Church in Ohio, Liberty Heights, two weeks ago. They have twelve and a half million dollars in debt and run about the same number of people we do. I came away after visiting with pastor Rick Garner, Dave Ramsey's former writer, with a deep conviction that we will pay off our short term remodeling debt by our Jubilee anniversary in 2011.
Lesson #5 - Churches that prosper are churches that focus on others.
What we do really well at Emmanuel is done on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night as we celebrate the gospel of Jesus Christ through worship and study. Into whom are you planting the good news by inviting them to come to Emmanuel?