Everything Ok?
C. Hayden 2-26-18

I want to write to you this month as inspired by my favorite auto repair shop.  The past two weeks have resulted in a banner month for having work done on my truck.  After having a tonneau cover put on the bed of said vehicle, I received an email from the installer requesting feedback on the quality of the work done.  As I recall, the owner wanted to make sure their work on the the truck went well and simply asked, “Everything ok?”  I was pleased to know that they are willing to follow up and open themselves up to such responses that may or may not be pleasant.  And while it can be unpleasant, sometimes receiving such feedback is often a good way to gauge the quality of services being provided.  I want to do something similar.  Before I do, however, I need to explain something.  A ministry of the Lord is a bit different than an auto repair shop.  First, a Church is not possessed by a single owner.  It belongs to the Lord and all of God’s people are fellow workers in this enterprise so that any criticism is one that involves all of us. And second, opinions often differ on how something should be done in a ministry (Determining the best way to reach a culture is not like changing a carburator on a truck).  So let us get feedback on OUR ministry.  in regards to Central Christian Church I have 4 survey questions:
1. How are we doing in ministering God’s love and truth to others? (Please be specific)
2. What things could we do better as a ministry in reaching our community and being a place people can grow spiritually?
3. Is their something we could do to help people grow more in their commitment to Christ and this ministry?
4. And finally, is there anything you would like to ask, say or advise the Pastor about in regards to Central Christian’s ministry? (I may or may not agree with you but I will respond in love and give reasoning for my thoughts).

Now you may ask, “Is there Biblical precidence for this kind of survey?” Sure.  Isaiah 1:17-18 records God’s request for His people.   “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.  18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  The Lord tells us to come and reason together with Him.  When we do, though we may have issues needing to be fixed, He will make us white as snow.  Let us come together also.  Though we need improvement, we can also grow into what God has called all of us to be.

Send your feedback to the Pastor’s email, which will be held in strict confidence: 4019hc@gmail.com
In this way I can know your thoughts and feelings about this ministry, what needs improving, who is being ministered to or not, who may or may not be reading this blog!

Be blessed even more and have a wonderful week!!

Pastor Chris