more summit thoughts... connecting...

I read it this morning... on the treadmill...

I have learned something elemental about connecting and communicating with the human race. Everyone has a name --- and they long to be seen, to be heard, and to be acknowledged for more than just being another cashier at the counter, driver behind the wheel, waitress, ticket taker with those little informative tags on their shirts.

--- River Jordan, Praying for Strangers

Her words reminded me... of  something said at the Summit... those two days last week... ridiculously full days...

The speaker... he identified three things... that make a miserable place to work... and as I walked... going nowhere... I realized they also make a miserable place to go to church...

1) Anonymity. Nobody wants to be anonymous... People cannot be fulfilled in their work if they are not known.

2) Irrelevance. God created us to love others... Everyone needs to know that their job matters, to someone. Anyone.

3) Immeasurement. All people have a need to be able to assess themselves if they are doing a good job... Employees need to be able to gauge their progress and level of contribution for themselves.

The title of the talk... How to Lose Your Best People...

Is that what happen in churches... the best people are lost... if these three elements are part of the culture...?

We all have a need to be known... God created us for community...

Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.

I will make a helper who is just right for him."

Genesis 2:18 NLT

We all need to know we are relevant... have purpose... He created us with a purpose...

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus

to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 

We all need to know if we are growing... markers that reveal progress... God saved us... to move toward perfection...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

These elements are needed to help people connect... grow... and fulfill the purpose God created them... us... you... me... for...

These elements make a great place to gather... in Him... without them... it's misery...

How can we make sure these elements... are part of our gathering... in Christ...?

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,

but you are fellow citizens with the saints

and members of the household of God,

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,

Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

in whom the whole structure, being joined together,

grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:19-21 ESV

(my emphasis)

Are these needs met where you gather to worship...?
Are you intentional about connecting with others... knowing... affirming... identifying growth...?
What can you start doing... to make your gathering... great...?