A New Way of Thinking

God truly moved in our worship Sunday. In each service people lined up to place a commitment on one of the crosses. Several hundred of us made a commitment to be made new in some area of our life. If you are one of those who placed a commitment on one of the crosses, I have prayed for you this morning. I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to a new way of thinking that will change your life.

There was an insert in this past Sunday’s bulletin that was designed to help you apply the message. In case you were not here or forgot to take yours with you, a copy is attached to this email. As I studied for this message series, “Keep the Change – Resolutions that Stick,” I realized that many of our resolutions never take root in our minds. Sure, our mind is involved when we decide to make our resolutions. But how much time do we really devote to thinking about the new way we are to live? If we don’t make thinking about the changes a part of our lives, our commitments will soon be out of our minds. The application ideas provided on the attachment can help you think for a change.

This morning’s thought from “WalktheWalk.com” spoke to this issue of thinking. The quote was from Patricia Neal; “A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.” If you really want to see change, it must start with your mind. Remember what the Proverb says,“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7a, New King James Version)

Yesterday, I had the privilege of appearing on NBC 13’s Mid-Day News to share a little about our 150th Anniversary. I thank Teresa Watson for setting that up. It was an opportunity to share about our year long celebration of 150 years of ministry in North Jefferson County.

I understand we are going to have a special guest from the past with us in worship Sunday. He will share what brought him to what is now the Gardendale area to begin a new church. The church that began as Shugart’s Chapel would later become New Bethel and after the town of Gardendale was established, it became the Gardendale Methodist Church.

Lisa Crane was the NBC 13 news person who did the interview. She was amazed by the three different styles of worship we offer each Sunday morning. In our prep time before the live interview, she made the comment that many churches have three worship services, but she was not aware of any that had three different styles of worship. Then she said, “I can see where that opens the door to reach a diversity of people.” That is so true. In conversations with new members the last few years, this diversity of worship has regularly been lifted up as one of our greatest strengths.

Each month, we send a questionnaire to those who worshiped with us for the first time during that month. It asked them to share their reflections on various aspects of their experience here at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon. It also asks “How did you hear about Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC?” The number one response to that question continues to be “Invitation.” More people come to worship because someone invited them than any other reason. It reminds me we must be offering the invitation. Who have you invited lately?

One of the latest questionnaires to be returned reminded us we are not always as welcoming as we like to think. Another question asks, “Did an usher or greeter extend a warm welcome and provide adequate assistance?” The person checked “No.”

Hospitality should be the responsibility of all of us. We need to make an effort to speak to persons, especially persons we do not know. It is also true, what is everybody’s responsibility is often nobody’s responsibility. That is the reason we must be very intentional about our hospitality. Come and learn how you can help make Gardendale-Mt. Vernon a more Hospitable Place in the Hospitality Training this Sunday afternoon, at 5:00 PM.

Another key to helping people feel truly welcome is effective follow up. On Sunday, January 24, you can learn how to help with our follow up on guests to our church. That is what our Evangelism System is all about. Our Evangelism System training will be, January 24, 12:15 PM. This includes lunch, so please contact the office to make your reservations. There are a variety of opportunities in our Evangelism System where volunteers with a heart to bring people to Christ and the Church are needed. The Evangelism System includes Sunday Computer Teams, First Time Visitor Follow-up, Telephone Teams, Cultivation Teams and Welcome Wagon Teams.

Also on January 24, Care Team Captain training will be held at 4:00 PM. These teams are vital to providing care to our growing congregation. Each Team consists of about 5 families. The Captain sees that the Care Team truly cares for one another.

Participation in any of these trainings do not obligate you to serve in that area. Come and learn what your church is doing and see if one of these might be a place you can use the Gifts God has given you.

Our Global Impact Celebration is kicks off three weeks from tonight. (Kick off service is Wednesday, February 3, 6:30 PM) Because of your support of the Faith Promise Budget, we already have money to send to Earthquake relief in Haiti. Be in prayer for your above the tithe commitment to this year’s Faith Promise Budget. And if you don’t give to Faith Promise, and want to give to Haiti relief, you can mark your gift Haiti relief.

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.