Two Offers
While shopping for yard signs to promote our church (Bruce, the author here, is the senior pastor of this church), the sales person said, “The church I used to go to did that!” I picked up on the “used to go” and said, “Used to go? What happened?” She said, “Well when I was twelve years old I wanted to be baptized but the pastor didn’t think I was ready so he refused to baptize me.” I said, “Oh I am so sorry that happened to you!”
Later in the conversation she mentioned that she and her boyfriend didn’t really go to church anywhere, and she mentioned their son. I had to leave the store to go home and get some information to continue our sales conversation, but when I returned I said, “You know what, I want to make you two offers. When you are ready to be baptized I will do it for you, anytime, anywhere. Is that a deal? She said, “Yes…and thanks.” Then I said, “And when you’re ready to get married, I’ll marry you free of charge, no questions asked.”
She was overwhelmed with my generosity of spirit and said with a tear in her eye, “You know I’ve never met a pastor like you. They are usually so stiff, preachy and judgmental.” I said, “My goal is to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways as often as I can.” She said, “I’ll have to try your church out!” I said, “I’d be honored. I think you will be surprised by the openness and love you will experience.”
She did visit twice and seemed to love her experience. It is one of the easiest things I do; doable evangelism. Just loving people in generous and caring ways.
-Bruce
December 5th, 2008 · 4 Comments
Categories: OA Stories
Margaret said
am December 8 2008 @ 10:12 am
I love this story. I had a similar experience last week. After working in ministry for 10 years, I felt the nudge to work in a secular environment. Last week, a young coworker was introducing herself to me, sharing a little about her life. She asked about my previous place of employment and I said that I worked in a church as a pastor. She said that if she and her boyfriend get married anytime soon, they would invite me to the wedding. I told her that I had an even better deal for her….that I would marry them if they’d like. She asked me how much I would charge and I responded like Bruce did….”For you…free of charge!” She smiled, asked me what church I attended and then began telling me how many churches she visited but never really liked any of them. This offer opened up a field of opportunity. I am excited. I just hope all my other coworkers don’t freak out when they discover that I am an official “churchlady.”
Kevin said
am January 15 2009 @ 11:40 am
I like you Bruce. I like how you think.
Why is this so hard for us? Why is this so rare? Why is it so hard for us to be more like Jesus?
I am so embarrassed sometimes for the sins of our church.
Keep going Bruce!
Bruce Wood said
am January 16 2009 @ 7:50 am
Kevin,
It’s working. After serval weeks of silence Brooke called me and asked me to marry her and her boyfriend. We are making progress. Loving People~Changing the World! I met Brooke’s father at our church and got the opportunity to love on him and pray for his wife who has been diagnosed with cancer. Wow! What a mighty God we serve. Love is the revolution.
Bruce
Randy said
am January 16 2009 @ 2:10 pm
Bruce,
Thanks so much for checking back in and sharing “the rrrrrest of the story”. It really is amazing how simple it is to connect with what God is doing in the lives of people all around us. Paying attention, listening, praying (even behind their backs)…anyone can do these things. This must be what Jesus had in mind when he was asking us to go make disciples, eh?