Connecting the Ministry part 2

This is part 2 of Connecting the Ministry.

Connecting is about relating to others and bringing value to that relationship.

Here are some basic principles about connect.

It’s not about you, it’s all about them.  

Ever meet someone that all they want to do is talk about themselves? Or all they want to do is push their agenda, their opinions?. They are constantly getting you to opt in whatever they are doing.  I have met some street evangelist with no interest whatsoever about people’s name, their situation in life, all they really cared about was “they are going to heaven, bless God.”  I know this one Women’s Ministry leader that no matter what room we are in, she always pipes in about the Bible Study she is doing.  I don’t think I have ever heard her genuinely ask another person about their thing and leave it at that.  No matter what the conversation topic it always got steered to the fact she does a bible study.  Some leaders think they it is lonely at the top, that it’s better to soar alone, that the extra mile is a lonely place.  That’s because it was all about them! 

It takes time and energy.

To connect to people will cost you. When two people are dating they spend an enormous amount of time and energy building that relationship, marriages would be whole lot better off if the couple went back to those days of dating energy. It takes creativity and energy to make people feel special.  It takes innovation to find the perfect way to tell Sister Bah-Humbug she matters. Look what Jesus went through just to connect with us!  For some it takes many hours gripping the mercy seat to battle against holding an offense.  To connect to some people will require time, a commitment to  constant reaching out. 

Find some common ground and encourage and empower them to better ground.

To connect to people we find common ground. We get where they are!  We become inclusive instead of exclusive.  We find out their likes and dislikes.  I like what Paul said “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”

Then we empower them, we bring value to their lives.  We lift them up.  How can we do that if we don’t even know where they are in life?