Leadership Column: Don't Stay Hidden!

By Jeanne Paynter

Connect at Central

A woman who had suffered for twelve years
and could not find a cure touched the fringe of his robe.
Jesus said, "Who touched me?"
When she realized she could not stay hidden,
she fell to her knees before him.
He said, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.
Go in peace."

I really must be desperate this morning to get up and go to church. Sure, the entrance is clearly marked and seems welcoming, but when I walk in, there is a sea of faces. Everyone is smiling and talking as if they all know each other. It's a club to which I don't belong. And I won't ever belong, if they find out what I'm struggling with. And I can't ever let them know, can I? This got-it-all-together Sunday church crowd...

The truth is that many of us in the "smiling, talking church crowd" feel just as desperate as this struggling visitor. We have bills to pay, children in trouble, friends who are sick, losses that ache, jobs that burden, sins that plague. We need help but don't want to call attention to ourselves, so we are tempted to "stay hidden."

The good news is that as soon as you walk through the new entrance at Central, you are close to making a connection that will lift your burden and bring you peace. Between services at the S-shaped "Connection Central" desk is stationed a Deacon who wants to come alongside you in your struggle.

Connection Central is the "official headquarters" of the First Impressions team, and those folks will always be there with a warm welcome. But there is much more! There are booklets on different topics (just the one you or a friend needs), Bibles, and other resources that we are happy to share and discuss. That "we" includes Deacons as well as members of the Young Adult and other ministries.

And, we are there to pray with you, too. We will pray about your need or a friend's. Prayer is our first and foremost resource, and wherever two are gathered in His Name, He is there. Don't leave Central on Sunday morning with your burden. Reach out to your Healer. He does not miss the slightest touch.

If you are not with us on Sunday mornings, we still want to connect with you. Call the Church Office (410-823-6145) or Denise Simms.

Don't stay hidden. Summon your faith. Connect at Central.