"Identifying the Needs of Those We Seek to Reach" The President's Blog for August 29, 2009
Identifying the Needs of Those We Seek to Reach
It is unlikely that people will respond to our overtures unless they are convinced that we are truly interested and care for them. The old saying is true, “People do not care how much you know unless they know how much you care.” While I am not sure that I have the quote right and do not know who penned those words, the message is clear; people want to know that we care for them.
The Example of Christ
For a third week, I find it necessary to refer to the famous quote in Ministry of Healing by Ellen White. She noted that “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’.”--The Ministry of Healing, p. 143. Christ desired the good of others and ministered to their needs. No wonder He experienced success. To the extent that we reach out is to the extent that we are likely to experience a positive response resulting in baptism.
Time is Required
The Salt approach requires time and commitment. Generally speaking, persons (myself included) want quick results, and this may explain why we are not reaping the results we seek after 3-5 weeks of crusade. Unless those who attend have been befriended and socialized in a small group, it is unlikely that they will make a decision for Christ. I was considering that our baptisms lately seem to be persons who have migrated, grew up in the church, or those who have made a recommitment. While I am not opposed to these baptisms, it is important that we reach others as well. Hence, the need to revisit what we do and to improve in our current ministries! Reaching out to others requires time and commitment, and each of us can start with a friend or on the job and elsewhere.
Wisdom is Needed
Don’t be discouraged if your co-worker does not respond the first time to your invitation. It may be that he or she is not comfortable attending your church or may not be ready for a Bible study. However, if you prayerfully seek God’s guidance, He will provide an opening through some need He is likely to identify and have you fulfill before the individual is ready to listen to some doctrinal study. It may help if we bear in mind the Maslow’s Pyramid of needs. Abraham Maslow developed a pyramid of five human needs. Beginning at the bottom of his pyramid he listed (1) physical, (2) safety, (3) belonging and love, (4) esteem, and (5) self-actualization. “While all of the needs are important,” Jon Paulien explained that “one does not become aware of the higher needs (nos. 4 and 5) as long as the lower ones are unfilled.”
It would seem that the Apostle Paul recognized the importance of these needs, as he wrote in 1 Timothy 6:7, 8, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." So with God imparting wisdom through the medium of His Holy Spirit, through our Soup Kitchen, Web page, Pathfinder Club, Married Couples Meeting and, yes, Bahamas Academy which closed last school year with over 800 young people, we can satisfy basic needs and hopefully, cause persons to sense their ultimate need of Christ..
Time to Befriend
All around people are hurting owing to job lay off, marital issue, sickness and even death. Then there are those who need help with raising infants and older children. Here is where we can come in to help remedy situations, but we must be willing to become friends with these persons before they may be willing to come to our church, do Bible study or attend a small group. This type of evangelism is year-round and not seasonal. Should we adjust our thinking here in Bahamas Conference, I feel that we will reach year-round many persons whom the Lord is leading. He desires our input. Are you available?
Thought to Ponder:
Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which to look out
Christ's compassion to the world
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.
-- by Teresa of Avila
Support Bahamas Academy today with a Financial Gift
The Books: How to Kill Adventist Education by Shane Anderson
and Embrace the Impossible by William Johnsson are available at the ABC. Obtain yours soon as only 1oo of the first were shipped and just a few of the other.
It is unlikely that people will respond to our overtures unless they are convinced that we are truly interested and care for them. The old saying is true, “People do not care how much you know unless they know how much you care.” While I am not sure that I have the quote right and do not know who penned those words, the message is clear; people want to know that we care for them.
The Example of Christ
For a third week, I find it necessary to refer to the famous quote in Ministry of Healing by Ellen White. She noted that “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’.”--The Ministry of Healing, p. 143. Christ desired the good of others and ministered to their needs. No wonder He experienced success. To the extent that we reach out is to the extent that we are likely to experience a positive response resulting in baptism.
Time is Required
The Salt approach requires time and commitment. Generally speaking, persons (myself included) want quick results, and this may explain why we are not reaping the results we seek after 3-5 weeks of crusade. Unless those who attend have been befriended and socialized in a small group, it is unlikely that they will make a decision for Christ. I was considering that our baptisms lately seem to be persons who have migrated, grew up in the church, or those who have made a recommitment. While I am not opposed to these baptisms, it is important that we reach others as well. Hence, the need to revisit what we do and to improve in our current ministries! Reaching out to others requires time and commitment, and each of us can start with a friend or on the job and elsewhere.
Wisdom is Needed
Don’t be discouraged if your co-worker does not respond the first time to your invitation. It may be that he or she is not comfortable attending your church or may not be ready for a Bible study. However, if you prayerfully seek God’s guidance, He will provide an opening through some need He is likely to identify and have you fulfill before the individual is ready to listen to some doctrinal study. It may help if we bear in mind the Maslow’s Pyramid of needs. Abraham Maslow developed a pyramid of five human needs. Beginning at the bottom of his pyramid he listed (1) physical, (2) safety, (3) belonging and love, (4) esteem, and (5) self-actualization. “While all of the needs are important,” Jon Paulien explained that “one does not become aware of the higher needs (nos. 4 and 5) as long as the lower ones are unfilled.”
It would seem that the Apostle Paul recognized the importance of these needs, as he wrote in 1 Timothy 6:7, 8, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." So with God imparting wisdom through the medium of His Holy Spirit, through our Soup Kitchen, Web page, Pathfinder Club, Married Couples Meeting and, yes, Bahamas Academy which closed last school year with over 800 young people, we can satisfy basic needs and hopefully, cause persons to sense their ultimate need of Christ..
Time to Befriend
All around people are hurting owing to job lay off, marital issue, sickness and even death. Then there are those who need help with raising infants and older children. Here is where we can come in to help remedy situations, but we must be willing to become friends with these persons before they may be willing to come to our church, do Bible study or attend a small group. This type of evangelism is year-round and not seasonal. Should we adjust our thinking here in Bahamas Conference, I feel that we will reach year-round many persons whom the Lord is leading. He desires our input. Are you available?
Thought to Ponder:
Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which to look out
Christ's compassion to the world
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.
-- by Teresa of Avila
Support Bahamas Academy today with a Financial Gift
The Books: How to Kill Adventist Education by Shane Anderson
and Embrace the Impossible by William Johnsson are available at the ABC. Obtain yours soon as only 1oo of the first were shipped and just a few of the other.
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