Where do you live?

When John’s disciples switched to Jesus, their first question was:

“Where do you live?”*

Let's flip that: As Mrs. Pastor, we need to support our husbands so they know where every member of the church lives. I realise that is one far-reaching statement to make, so I encourage you to read on...For a church to be intact – the members need to be in-touch with each other and that includes Pastor and his family – they are also members of the church. I’ve been in churches where I‘ve heard members say “there is no love in this church” or leave because they did not “feel loved.” When I hear statements like that, I ask myself – did they show love and it wasn’t reciprocated? Love begets love.

Everyone wants to be loved, visited and looked out for but many don’t even (want or try to) step out to do the same. Bottom line: most of the blame of “love-less-ness” is laid at the Pastor’s feet...very close to yours. So we need to "step on it" and do something about it. We need to take a genuine interest in those in our church and know where they live – and I mean physically, emotionally and especially spiritually. Now is not the time to ask how many people know where their pastor lives even physically - though a valid question.

When Jesus visited homes of his disciples and others, He always made an impact -that’s how it should be for us. When we join our husbands to visit others or we go on our own, we need to leave a lasting positive impression. When he visited Peter’s home, he healed his mother-in-law, when he visited Jarius, he raised his daughter and did the same for Lazarus – 4 days after he had died...the list goes on. And He started His ministry by providing wine at a wedding ceremony...a clear sign that happy marriages are important to Him.

Likewise, while we must not go around like busybodies and poking our nose into everyone else’s business, the members of our church need to know that you and your husband sincerely care for them "where" they are in their lives. Theodore Roosevelt said, “People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.” So it’s not about quoting the Word at arm's length – we must be living the Word and loving people daily...at heart's touch.

Maya Angelou said “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I encourage you and your husband (and of course your children) to be like Jesus Who did good wherever He went. The key thing being that He first went then did good there. Give the gift of good memories...wherever you go. 

In our church, the 2nd weekend is designated as our "Visiting Weekend."
This has helped create a culture of members reaching out to each other...

Reference:

*The next day, John was there again, and two of his followers were with him. When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, "Here is the Lamb of God!" John's two followers heard him, and they went with Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them, he asked, "What do you want?" They answered, "Rabbi, where do you live?" The Hebrew word "Rabbi" means "Teacher." Jesus replied, "Come and see!" It was already about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him and saw where he lived. So they stayed on for the rest of the day. One of the two men who had heard John and had gone with Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. (John 1: 35- 40 CEV)