It’s not like he ever left… but at any rate…

We have a great relationship with our schools where our church is located. It started when we decided to bless instead of curse. 

When I first arrived at the church as pastor I went all around town and introduced myself. City hall, police department, fire department, schools, businesses… I just walked in and introduced myself. 

I left them with the invitation: “If there is anything we can ever do to help you, let me know. If we can help, we’ll jump in. If we can’t, I’ll let you know.” 

It took a little while, but “shockingly” enough I started getting invitations. 

Here is what doesn’t work: Without getting to know anyone in the system at all call them “godless” or “pagan” or “liberal.” Shockingly enough, that doesn’t open doors. 

Here is what does work: “How can I help you?”

Here is what is helpful as well: “I am your biggest cheerleader.” (And I mean that, by the way.)

Last year we fed the middle school teachers dinner before one of their parent teacher conference nights. There were many new staff that night, so I was hauling in fried chicken a new teacher held the door open for me, but with a bit of a scowl (and knowing I was from a CHURCH), asked, “WHY are you doing this?” 

To which I blurted out, “Because you’re all godless pagans and I’m here to save you from hell.”

No. I didn’t. 

I said, “Because you all teach middle schoolers and I think that’s heroic!” 

The scowl left. 

We’ve fed teachers. We’ve provided 1,000 notebooks to an elementary school. We’ve bought Christmas toys and given away a bike at an elementary school. We’ve helped with tutoring. We’ve helped with mentoring. I have had the incredible honor of sitting on several blue ribbon committees for the district. I am personal friends with many of the teachers and leaders and I honestly think it is a GREAT school district. They have overcome a lot and they have such a deep care for students and families. 

And I’ve done ALL of it as a pastor. Their pastor. Whether they know it or not. 

It’s a high privilege and I’m so immensely grateful. Whether they acknowledge it or not, God is there. And he is blessing.