I am grateful to be pastor of the wonderful people of NewPointe. God has blessed us as we work together in a variety of ways. We have been recognized and complimented for numerous reasons, and I have appreciated all of them. We are frequently commended for the beauty of our buildings, the stability of our finances, our growth and attendance. Our sports ministry field and our ability to attract through our outreach events are opportunities few other churches enjoy. Those are all wonderful things, and I am grateful.
But when Jesus speaks of the things that make His heart applaud and say we are getting it right is when we are faithful to love and minister to people who are “the least of these.” People who are not normally noticed are the ones who get His intense, compassionate focus. You can read it for yourself all through the New Testament. Matthew 25 even records His assertion that this is how He will sort “the sheep from the goats.”
I am especially grateful for the concern NewPointe has exhibited for people with disabilities in Tuscarawas County. We were recently recognized and given the Better Together Award from the Tusc. BDD for our support and ministry to those in the county. It is not the award that is significant, it is that our people care enough to act.
As I attended the award ceremony, I noticed and recorded a few significant thoughts that I pray we will continue to display more and more in the coming days:
Care means showing up consistently. It is extremely easy to do a good thing in an enthusiastic moment, especially if others are doing it. It is much more difficult to do it consistently, time after time, when there is little or no apparent forward movement. People tend to quit, to just quietly let it die, when it is not fulfilling any more. This is motivational to me. I hope it is to you as well. I hope we keep it up and want to do better and more.
“I see you, I feel you, I value you” are the messages we need to send. But they cannot simply be words and money. People with disabilities need people who will actively care by looking into their eyes, listening to their hearts, and prioritizing a true friendship.
True help is about laughter and friendship. Normalizing your relationship by not condescending but talking about ordinary life, finding things you have in common, laughing together. This involves time.
Focus on ability, not limitations. These are precious people who also have a purpose. They are not defined solely by limitations but by possibility. They can contribute to life in general in many ways, and as you take the time and compassion to relate to them, you will find that you are immensely benefited as well.
So, NewPoInte, I am so grateful for this recognition, but it is not a reason to relax and simply feel good about what we have done. Let us continue to be a church that cares for these wonderful people and make our service to them key to who we are.