Dear Friends,
Just yesterday I was in Walgreens when and I came across a person
in a military uniform. I walked up to him as I often do when I see members of
the military, and looking him in the eye, I said, “Thanks for your service.”
And he responded saying, “Thanks, I appreciate your words,” and both of
us quickly moved on.”
Just a few words spoken between two people who never met before,
but I experienced an immediate sense of connection between the two of us. I
felt good, and I had a sense he did also.
That is what happens when true connection takes place between
people, even people who don’t know each other.
As Jean and I were leaving the store, I saw a disabled woman pushing
a walker, and I took a few extra seconds to wait and hold the door for her, and
she began profusely thanking me for my action. I don’t remember what we said to
each other after that-not much of anything-but as we both walked away, I do
remember having the sense in helping her we both connected with one another and
that felt good to me and suspect she felt the same.
I don’t share these two examples to draw attention to myself, but
only to point out that it doesn’t take much effort-just a few seconds- to
connect with people and experience the good feelings associated with it.
How important it is in life for all of us to look for
opportunities to connect with each other
John Maxwell is fond of saying “Always touch a person’s heart
before you ask him for his hand,” and that is good advice for all of us who are
interested in building relationships with others.
As Connections Pastor in our church, I am intent on looking for
ways to connect with people and encouraging them to connect with others.
I encourage our members to come to church with the purpose of
connecting with someone they don’t know. When every member does that, a large
church becomes small and intimate and a warmth of fellowship develops that
possesses magnetic power to attract and retain visitors. Visitors may quickly
forget the message they heard from the pulpit, but they will never forget the
warmth of fellowship they experienced as people reached out and connected with
them.
Churches plan and promote “Make a Friend Sundays,” but why does
making friends only happen on special Sundays? Shouldn’t we want to make a
friend(s) every Sunday?
Making friends will not happen automatically. As my mother
used to say, “to have friends, you must always seek to be a friend.”
Connection with people doesn’t happen without some degree of
intentionality, so I encourage our church members not to leave church until
they have spoken and connected with at least one person they don’t know.
Connectors “know the way, go the way and show the way for others.”
They are connecting examples because they make connecting a priority.
And by the way connecting is good for your health. It can even
help you live longer.
A large-scale research review found that low social connection has
as much of an effect on our mortality rate as not exercising and is twice as
harmful as being overweight. That review also found loneliness effects
morbidity as much as a smoking or alcohol. Connecting with People- What It
Is and Isn’t. Andrea Darcy, March 21, 2017-taken from the internet.
Let’s make Romans 12:10 our church motto: “Love one another with
brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
So, if you want to live longer, and make your church more
attractive while doing so, just make it your goal to make every Sunday, “Make a
Friend Sunday.”
Yours in faith,
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