Lifepoint Church - 2nd Visit & Prayer Meeting

This time I brought Jeanne and Selah with me. Nothing changed too much from our last visit. Except that we had to wear nametags. Not everyone, just the visitors. I didn't like that too much. Everyone can see my name, but I can't see anyone else's. Not a good way to make a newcomer feel welcomed.

Good music and message. Unfortunately George and Janice were not there and I was not able to introduce them to Jeanne and Selah. The message was inspiring and the worship was genuine again. These folks were sincerely praising God and I was very encouraged by it.

After the service we had a number of people come up to us thanking us for coming back to their church. They said that they hoped Lifepoint could be a church that we could call home, saying hopefully it could meet our needs. Initially that rubbed me the wrong way. I thought, well, everyone I’ve talked to knows our immediate needs: we’ve moved here from another city, we’re new to the area, and we don’t know that many people. To me that sounds like I’ve got a lot of needs. I thought, "How about actually making an effort of trying to meet those needs instead of just telling me that hopefully the church will." What a huge letdown for me. I wished George and Janice were there that day….I missed them.

I couldn’t help but think of all the new church visitors throughout the years that I’ve spoken with in the same situation as me. I know I’ve dropped the ball so many times when it came to "being the church." How many times do we see a need in someone’s life and tell them, if you need anything don’t hesitate to call me. Instead of just acting and meeting that need for the person. Could you imagine Jesus walking around telling folks, "hey, if you need that healing, here’s my number. Don’t hesitate to call me." Maybe we are all too busy in our lives to really take the time to try to meet people’s needs. Maybe we won’t really take the time until someone asks us and we feel obligated to. I’m not sure the reason, but I am sure that I am going to make an effort that If I see a need, and God has blessed me with the ability to meet that need, I am going to offer it until that person rejects me at least 3 times. I know that may seem extreme, but I have a feeling God will be ok with it. I am also going to pray that God will guide me to be more sensitive to others' circumstances.

I also attended their prayer meeting that Wednesday night. About 12 of us there all seated in a circle. Please keep in mind that it was advertised as strictly a prayer meeting. Of course I love praying so when I saw that they were meeting weekly to pray, I was charged up. Well….after a 45 minute bible study, we went around the circle and took some prayer requests and then prayed for about 20 minutes. Some "prayer" meeting. I think 2 Chronicles 7:14 sums it up pretty well, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Bible studies are a good thing, but not at prayer meetings.