Finding the Balance Between Mission and Meaningful Connection
For a number of years through our church’s relationship with the Shelby Mission Camp, I had the opportunity to head down to Shelby on Thanksgiving Day and deliver food to home-bound folks. This is because each year, the camp prepares Thanksgiving lunch for the neighbors in their community – both for them to come eat there or have sent to their home if needed. I enjoyed being there each year, helping to organize and deliver. It was a blessing and a joy and I miss doing it.
As you’d imagine, the joy centered most specifically on conversations. I loved being able to talk with people who lived down there. I recall one man who was aged and alone, slow-moving, and slow-speaking – but he was so full of life! After knocking on his door (and waiting awhile), he opened it slowly but with a smile. He welcomed me in almost immediately, without even realizing who I was or why I was there.
We wandered into the house slowly and sat down on his couch. Now I will tell you, this wasn’t the norm. While this was a ministry, typically some would just receive the meal with thanks, while others might talk to you at the door. But almost no one just brought you on in. So, we sat down, and he began to ask me about where I was from, about my family, etc. I, looking around his home, saw that he had been in the armed forces. After seeing that, I asked him questions about that, and the time that he’d been in Shelby. I enjoyed our conversation and time, but like is so often the case when you’re busy, my mind was divided a bit. You see, I had other meals to take, so I was thinking about that. I only had so much time I could give, but he would have given me his whole day.
So, after 20 minutes or so, I began to send signals that I needed to go. He was extremely courteous, walking us to the door as I got on my jacket. When we got there, he said a prayer over me and my day in the gentlest and slowest voice (it makes me smile as I remember it). Then I went on to my next stop. I delivered a few more meals, went back to the work site to clean up, and then started to head home. As I headed toward the highway, I wondered if that man still might be around. So, I headed back to his house and knocked on his door again. He didn’t answer, so I assumed he went to sleep. I was sad to miss the opportunity.
You know, sometimes I lose track of all that matters, as I’m sure you do. That day, people needed their food, and the organization needed me to take it to them— that mattered, and that man needed to have a warm conversation and some encouragement, which mattered too. It seems to me we tend to be oriented in one way or the other. Some of us are task-driven, others are people-driven. Some seek to get the work done, sadly at the cost of people’s feelings and needs. Others seek to connect with people, and the work doesn’t get done or done effectively. However, both matter and both need to be pursued.
1 Peter 4:10 tells us “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Not only are we to serve one another, but we are to do that with good stewardship and wisdom. Both service and stewardship. Both people and mission. One doesn’t matter more, but both matter most.
As you take a look at our newsletter and see the work being done in our vision notes and the opportunities to meet, come join us! Join us in prayer and join us in presence. Come both to take part in the work and to take part together—because both matter. See you soon!
— Pastor William
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