Heart to Heart....

So, I know that I haven't blogged about our move and our first week here in Colorado - I will I promise but for now...I want to just be open and speak from my heart to the heart of the average church member, the one who attends, helps out here and there but mostly is just in the background.

If I could sit with each of you, the average American church member, in your living room or mine - this is what I want to say to you....LOVE ON YOUR CHURCH STAFF, LOVE ON THEIR FAMILY, PRAY FOR THEM, LOVE ON THEM...this, this sums it up!

You see, just like in our American political system, often times it is the LOUD minority that is directing the goings on of the church - not the silent majority. I truly believe that the hearts of the majority of members within our churches are GOOD...they love the Lord, they love people, and they even love their church staff. The problem is that they don't speak up...mostly because honestly I don't think they know they should but also because they get busy, they are tired from just doing life. To go to that church business meeting - well that is just ONE MORE THING on the already booked calendar. Of course I think of my Pastor or his wife and I really MEAN to call them but then we are off to practice or a game or vacation etc. You know what...TAKE THE TIME! Your church staff and their families NEED to know that you are there. They NEED to HEAR you say you love them, to pray for them, to MINISTER to them!

Friends...our church staff and their families are on the front lines day in and day out. They are taking a beating from without and within the church. They are weary. They are worn, They are persecuted from all directions. They are suffering from depression, loneliness, hurt, anger, and more. They need friends. They need to know YOU CARE.

Just TODAY...here is what I have heard from minister's wives and families (and this is ONLY today, not what I hear on a weekly basis) - "Pray for (insert name) and his family. They just got on their feet after being discouraged by goings on in the church and now their family is the target of retaliation, bullying, etc from a family upset with the church."
"Pray for us. My husband was basically fired today - he resigned rather than get voted out. We don't have a plan."
"Pray for (insert name) our Pastor's wife. She hears daily criticism and judgement about her, her husband and kids"

THIS IS THE NORMAL! Do you hear my heart? This is happening EVERY DAY in churches all across America and it is tearing up our ministers and their families. Like I said at the beginning - I HONESTLY believe that this is NOT the majority of church members treating ministers this way - I believe that a VERY LOUD, minority is what is being heard and a VERY SILENT majority needs to speak up, love up, and ACT OUT in love to church staff.

It has been suggested to me through the years that I am bitter towards the church, that I focus on the negative, etc. Please please hear me and listen up to my heart - THIS IS NOT THE CASE! I LOVE the church, I love serving within the church but I also believe that some things (ok, maybe a lot of things) in our churches need to change and it begins with this - LOVE YOUR STAFF. This doesn't mean agree with them all the time, it doesn't mean don't ever question or challenge what they may say or suggest but it DOES MEAN LOVE!!!! Let them know that even when they are wrong - you love them. Show them you care by calling, taking them out to eat, dropping a meal by, babysitting for a date night, send them a card, etc. Joel and I have a heart for the church - if this wasn't the case, we would have walked away years ago...believe me, the money isn't great and the hours are far from convenient! However - that silent majority - THEY ARE WORTH IT!

From my heart to yours....if you have EVER wondered how you can serve within the church or how you can support it - make it your mission in life to reach out and serve, love, minister to those who minister. Be a friend to your pastor's wife. Send them an encouraging note every month to counter act those negative ones they are getting. SHOW UP at the business meetings and smile at them - better yet SIT BY THEM in the business meeting. Pray and ask God to reveal to you how YOU can LOVE your church staff and their families....I bet He will be happy to oblige!