Learning about where you minister

As pastors we (I) tend to think of ourselves as busy, our congregations also tend to think we are busy - despite occasionally reminding us we only work one day/morning/afternoon a week - too.  But here is the question how do the community we serve see us?

When we moved where we meet to where we are now and launched a new toddler group we committed to my being at that group week by week.  To moving tables and chairs, setting out toys and the like, to teaching the Bible story every third week to the toddlers and their listening parents and carers.  It was interesting seeing the shock on some other pastors faces as they heard this.  It was almost as if that was a decadent waste of time, how would you do that and have time to prepare and do all other things that make up a busy pastors week.

But here is what I'm finding; toddlers is where I am getting to connect to the community which I am called to pastor and which we as a church long to see won for Jesus.  It's not every week but it is quite often that I will have an interesting chat with one of the mums, dads, or carers.  It's where I pick up on which parents and carers have a Sunday school back ground and are actually positive about church and its value at least morally and in teaching about community.  It's where I am hearing about the needs of the community; parents concern for their children who are becoming teens in a community where there are no constructive opportunities for them to channel their energy, the pressures of parenting, depression and mental illness, families where illness is causing serious stress.

It's also where I am getting to explain about why we as a church have moved into the area, what it is we have believe, and the difference it makes.  As well as having the opportunity to invite people along.  Despite all the door to door advertising, the banners and other stuff for many this has still gone unnoticed.  Whereas a presence, meeting a need, a face to face conversation, taking time to care by listening and sharing is breaking down barriers.  It also helps me see what the barriers to the gospel are and flavours preaching and teaching.

There is no substitute for being in the community you are looking to reach, hearing its stories and dreams and frustrations.  There is no substitute for physical presence and face to face engagement.  We need get out of the office get into the community and invest in and make the most of these opportunities.