| Outdoor Truths: Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ Nov. 17th |
Gary Miller ~ outdoortruths.org
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I’ve been saving much of my hunting time for the month of November. I knew I would be gone for the better part of three weeks and did not want to be “hunted out” before this time came. I knew several days of hunting in the cold and in unknown weather conditions would become tiring if I was not prepared both physically and mentally. As I write, I am getting ready for the last leg of this three week experiment. I was right concerning most of my concerns, but have handled them, as planned, just as well.
There have been several days I have sat in a tree stand for eleven hours. And while this is not normal during most of the hunting season, during the rut, it is essential if one wants the most opportunities for seeing a big buck. But just because it’s the rut, doesn’t mean that deer are running around every minute of the day. There are times of lulls – for hours and even whole days. These lulls can be boring and will test one’s endurance. But when there is activity, the time flies.
I hear many people talk about their experiences in church services like a day in the tree stand without seeing any activity. It’s boring and enduring to the end is difficult. Most criticize these complainers for some lack in his or her life. And while this may be true, it still does not miraculously make boring inactivity suddenly become relevant and exciting. And it’s really time we stopped making excuses for the church. If Christ’s church is boring and full of inactivity then we need to simply embrace this truth and live with it. If it is not, then we need to look at what we are doing to turn her into something that she is not meant to be. If a comedian is not funny, kind listeners leave after only a few jokes. (Rougher ones may through tomatoes) Both are not coming back. If a singer is bad, out of respect, we may listen to one or two songs but we will also be gazing at our watch. And again, don’t expect us to come for a concert. But it seem when a preacher is boring and irrelevant, we give him a pass. I know this is not going to sit well with some, but isn’t the reputation of God’s church worth defending? Please remember this – men will listen to a speaker for a long time if the speaker is…..
(1) Gifted in speaking to some degree. I’m not talking about some flashy guy with one liners and old clichés; but some giftedness. If a singer needs to be gifted in singing, they why wouldn’t a speaker need to be somewhat gifted as well?
(2) Prepared. If you are a preacher, then spend most of your time during the week in solid and deep preparation. Don’t let other lesser duties take you away from your main call. (And please don’t give me the difference between a pastor and a preacher. If you’re a pastor, then your are meant to be primarily a preacher) And….
(3) Be relevant. Your listener needs to be able to answer these questions. What do you want me to know? Why do you want me to know it? (How does apply to my daily living?) And how can I do what you are asking me to do?
The real church is not meant to be like sitting in a tree stand all day without seeing any activity. It’s not meant to be boring. That doesn’t mean that every service will have equal appeal to all, but please make it your effort to portray the Church of the Living God, as she really is.
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