God's referrals

Have you ever referred some to a doctor or an attorney? By that I mean, known someone needed that kind of help and told them: "Oh, go see _____. They're great! They will help you."

I have been thinking about that because I believe that's essentially what happens when a visitor comes to our church --- God has referred them to us. We are then responsible for what happens.

THAT is a complete reversal of the thought process in many churches. In (too) many churches the thought is that the visitor is responsible for knowing the service, introducing them self, finding place to fit in, getting involved, etc.

If we take the attitude that we are responsible that makes a very BIG difference in our attitude. Its the difference between a retail store where you have to search everything out on your own and a store where people are available to help you. Of course we don't want to become the kind of place that pesters people either! And that used to be a concern of mine but I have come to the conclusion that very, very few churches have to worry about trying too hard.

At every meeting our Vestry (governing board) prays that God make us worthy of the responsibility placed on us.