Vancouver Today - e.Update, Feb. 22, 2011

February 22, 2011  

From Pastor Roger ...

A friend shared this story with me:
Watching Susie interact with the geese yesterday was very enlightening. Everything she did seemed to scare them away, even though in her three-year-old mind, they were designed to attract them to her. She would throw food then wave frantically trying to show them where the cracker was – they ran away. She would run screaming toward them to "greet" them, but they ran away. She would slap her leg or clap her hands to call them – they ran away.

 

Reading this reminded me of all the ways we try to get people to come to church. But perhaps the best way we can win the world to Christ is learn to listen first – seek first to understand. Learn their language, learn their methods, learn their culture then speak to them about the grace of God in the midst of their culture, their methods, and their language.

 

Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, "Follow Me."

 

There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort…. "The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counseled. We are to weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice. Accompanied by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit."
Ministry of Healing, p. 144   

 

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What's happening

• Tonight, Feb. 22: CHIP Information meeting, 6pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 23: Church board, 7pm
• Sabbath, Feb. 26: Pastor Roger Walter, "Personal Holiness in Times of Temptation" 
• Monday, Feb. 28:
  • Community Service Center, 9:30-11:45am and 12:30-3:00pm
  • Guitar Lessons for Kids and Youth (Adults welcome, too), 6pm; Bring your guitar
  • Pathfinders, 7pm
• Tuesday, Mar . 1:
  • Conference Call Prayer meeting, 7am
  • Community Service Center, 9:30-11:45am and 12:30-3:00pm