What would you like to hear?
I was reflecting this morning on the experience which a lot of ministers just hate. That first visit to a congregation to see if it will be a fit; a marriage; a team; a family.
The first preaching ministry I took, I felt like a chuck roast sitting at the meat counter. People would punch and prod and feel you. Not with their hands, mind you, but with their questions. “How long have you been mean to your wife?” “How much weight have you gained since you took your picture you sent us?” “Which one of your kids acts worse?” “Are they typical P.K.’s?”
Ok, some of them weren’t as bad. “Tell me about why you want to minister here?” “Why do you think Jesus wants you here?” “How many people can you get to come to our church?” “What’s your position on baptism?” “You don’t like those contemporary worships, do you?”
There really shouldn’t be any resentment for those questions. Jesus had to field much worse ones. Then, when He told them the answer, some were absolutely amazed, others were angry. Some of them so angry they tried to run him out of town. Still other times Jesus knew it would be better if he left on His own.
What questions would a potential minister like to hear? “How can we minister to your family?” That would be music to his ears, no doubt. “You mean this family of God is concerned about my family; my kids; my wife and our welfare?”
How about, “What could I pray for you about?” I think that questions would blow him out of his socks. “You want to pray for me? I thought all you wanted was for me to be at your beck and call 24 hours, seven days a week.”
“Tell me how I can be your friend?”
He thinks, “Oh…my…gosh! This can’t be a church, can it? They want to be MY friend? They want to reach out to me? They want to get to know me?”
“How can we help you bring young people to Christ? What can we do?”
Can’t you just see his face turning purple from lack of oxygen? “Wait, wait… Just a second. You mean you want to take responsibility with me for the salvation of these children? You mean it’s not all on my shoulders in your eyes?”
“What commitment do you need from me? Can I introduce you to other youth ministers? Want to go to lunch tomorrow? How can my family bless you? Can I tell you how Christ has led me to be your servant?”
No, those questions would be just too much. That would be crazy! “If I am to be called crazy, let me be called crazy in the Lord.”