I read an article where a pastor expressed disappointment that no one asked him his name when he visited a church while on vacation. Being a pastor, I thought he would give his fellow clergyman a break, since he should know how tough it is being in pastoral ministry. After all, many fault churches as being cliquish and unwelcoming to "outsiders." He went on to state that know one else asked his name, or made him feel welcome.
It reminds me of the phrase "if you want a friend, be a friend." Perhaps he could have initiated the contact, or put himself in their shoes if the positions were reversed. Sometimes we get wrapped up in life and seeing friends we don't always acknowledge or recognize another person in our midst that needs a hand, a voice of encouragement, or a simple "hello." As an introvert myself, this is not an issue to me, as I prefer focusing on worship, rather than socializing that I find sometimes contrived or uncomfortable.
I hope he remembers his lesson when he returned to his own church, and that newcomers present and sought greetings and were not recognized, were more forgiving than he.
It reminds me of the phrase "if you want a friend, be a friend." Perhaps he could have initiated the contact, or put himself in their shoes if the positions were reversed. Sometimes we get wrapped up in life and seeing friends we don't always acknowledge or recognize another person in our midst that needs a hand, a voice of encouragement, or a simple "hello." As an introvert myself, this is not an issue to me, as I prefer focusing on worship, rather than socializing that I find sometimes contrived or uncomfortable.
I hope he remembers his lesson when he returned to his own church, and that newcomers present and sought greetings and were not recognized, were more forgiving than he.
No comments:
Post a Comment