I’m sorry that my posts have been infrequent lately-I’m trying to take some time with family this summer, because my year coming up is going to be so busy!
But I have some things on my mind that I thought I would share with you.
One of the things that happens once a speaker has been speaking for a while is that we tend to get known outside of our traditional circles. For instance, while I speak mostly to evangelical church groups, I also write a family column in our local paper. And so lots and lots of non-evangelicals know who I am, and they know I speak.
And so every summer, when many ministers take vacations, I get asked to guest preach at small rural United Churches near the town where I live. For my American friends, think a combination of Episcopalian and Methodist. Very mainline.
I never charge my full fee. I consider this a real honour, and a real responsibility that God is giving me. It is one thing to speak to an evangelical audience and challenge them. It is another thing entirely to be asked to speak to a mainline church to people who may never have heard the gospel properly.
That is a humbling thing indeed.
I’m going to open with the story of an experiment that took place off of the Brazilian coast. Two identical wine bottles were dropped, with messages inside, off of a boat. One drifted east, washing up one hundred and thirty days later off the coast of Africa. The other drifted northwest, landing in Nicaragua one hundred and ninety days later. They started in exactly the same place. They ended up half a world away from each other.
We can never drift closer to something we care about. We only ever drift apart.
And so I am going to talk about how we cannot drift through life; we need purpose, and we need to know where we are aiming. And I’ll take it from there.
One thing I have found when speaking before mainline audiences is that they are passionate about things like faith and purpose. They aren’t as comfortable with Jesus. But if you can open with the things that they are passionate about, you can then bring in Jesus afterwards.
As always, I find that bringing in humour, and even props, helps people to listen better.
And so even though this will be one of my smallest audiences this year, and even though it may look rather insignificant, I am considering this one of my most important speaking engagements. And if you all could take a minute to pray for those who will be listening, I would so appreciate it!
Have you had this sort of blessed opportunity, to present the gospel to those who may not have heard it? What did you do? Let me know!
Kelli Wommack says
Sheila, I am praying for you. That God would use you and your passion for Him to stir in the hearts of His people. And yes, we must be intentional about moving towards God.
My most recent preaching experience was in Caracas, Venezuela in a small open-air church. I preached on Ephesians 3: 20 - 21…He can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. The church was so receptive and generous. Small audience with big hearts! I am convinced that when we are faithful with the small opportunities, the bigger ones will come! And my compensation…lunch that was fit for a queen. I will never forget it. Just found out that one of my translators on the trip was just baptized this past weekend. God is good! He is always at work!
dyuhas62 says
Father, soften the hearts and open the minds of those whom you are calling. Give Sheila favor that she may preach your word in season and out. Thank you, Lord, that you care deeply for those in churches who’ve never heard the full gospel. Help them to surrender themselves to you completely. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.
igniteyourmarriageSistergirl says
Sheila, I am praying that the Lord will use you to touch the heart of the people. I am praying for my first speaking engagement outside my church.
I do teach at church; however, most retreat leaders have asked me for a demo or UTUBE clip which I do not have yet. I am praying I get my first event so I can tape it and really get my ministry going, lol.
Candy Troutman says
Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see;
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
“Love paid the ransom for me.”
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
nt12many says
Sheila,
There are hungry, hurting people in every congregation. My husband and I learned that when we were missionaries raising support and speaking in every denomination out there (it seemed!). There are also so many faithful believers in some dead churches-it always amazes me. May the Lord be exalted as you speak!
I have a question and wasn’t sure where to post it; I like to ask people to fill out feedback forms when I speak and most ladies hate to do that. I try to give them just two or three questions that do not require a “yes” or “no” answer ie.,”If you shared something about the talk with a friend what would it be?” Each lady who turns in her feedback form is entered to win a good book that I bring to the retreat/workshop (their feedback is anonymous, they write their name on a corner of it and tear if off to enter the drawing). I do the drawing to encourage participation and to have the fun of giving away a good book.
Do you ask for feedback? If so, what sort of questions do you ask and do you have any suggestions for me.I really do want to hear what the audience thinks good or bad. I would use a humorous feedback form if I had one.
Thanks so much. I have a retreat next month and would like to improve this area.
Jill Farris
http://www.jillcampbellfarris.com
http://www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com