Conventions mean many things to different people: fellowship, learning, seeing old friends, meeting new ones and times of worship. All of these are true—and very important. They all provide a way of encouraging us in our Christian walk.
I am hoping that the 2009 Eastern Christian Convention will be all of that and more. I want us to come prepared to not only be challenged to serve, but to serve. That is why you have been asked to bring a new pair of socks or gloves. Those are going to be collected and given to an orphanage or inner city mission. A small gift, a small sacrifice, that can make a big difference to people we may not know.
But what about service while we are at Hershey Lodge? All too often we expect to be served. What if we came with an attitude of us serving? T.J. George, of the Capital Area Christian Church, is recruiting people to make cookies that we are going to give to the staff that wait on us. The cookies will be placed around the convention center where the staff take their breaks. I want us to write notes of encouragement to them thanking them for their service to us. We need to serve those who serve us.
We will also be placing small books with the cookies that the staff can take home with them. If you have the desire you can take one of those books and write a personal note near the front thanking whoever picks it up for their service. We want to show our appreciation to those who wait on us.
So come to this year’s convention prepared to be encouraged and challenged. But come prepared to serve. Let’s be salt and light to those that are around us. Let’s see if a small act of appreciation opens a door to allowing us to share the gospel.
See you in November!
Serving Him,
Curt Nordhielm
P.S. If you happen to read or hear a good quote on service, please send that to me at curt@rhmnewengland.org. I want to use a collection of quotes at various times during the convention.