Maybe he doesn’t want to take your picture
We have a family friend who doesn’t like to go to church.
Why?
Because he’s a photographer. And it’s been his experience that when he tells the pastor what he does for a living, the response is something like: “Oh, really? We could use a guy like you around here. We always need photos.”
This friend told me, “That’s what I do all week long. I don’t want to go to church and have to do it there, too.” So that’s one of the reasons he doesn’t go to church.
The fact is this: God has blessed us all with talents. The Bible encourages us to use those talents for the kingdom. For many of us, those talents will be the same we use daily.
For others, it might be different.
My friend has other talents that define him. As do I. And you. Sometimes, what we do for a living to provide food for our family is not the thing we need to be doing in the church setting.
When people visit your church it’s appropriate to find out what they do for a living. It’s a natural part of a conversation. But when it comes time for them to plug in, don’t let their daily occupation pigeonhole their service contributions.
I’m a writer and a marketing professional. My wife is a homemaker and a talented pianist. When we first joined our church, someone invited us to plug in by setting up chairs in the gym where we have Sunday School. We loved it. Setting up the gym has nothing to do with writing or playing the piano — but it was a way to get us involved.
Later, my wife began teaching music in the church and I began leading a Life Group.
Give people time. Let their spiritual gifts surface. God might have equipped them with a talent or a passion that can only develop in a church setting, with your encouragement.
How does your church help visitors and new members plug in?
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