As I sat at the table with several friends, who are involved in ministry, we chatted about our ministries, happenings in our community and finally the ministry of some of the pastors of the biggest mega churches we know of in the United States.  “Did you know Rick Warren was cooking up burgers for everyone who was volunteering at Saddleback’s Church Workday?” was one comment.  That comment was soon followed up with, “do you think if I cooked up burgers at my church people would show up and help at our church?”  For the next twenty minutes we just talked about these pastors and the great ministries they appear to be having.  If one was not careful, it would not take much for some of us to get envious of these mega church pastors and jealous of their fan like following. But, should we really envy these guys?

While Rick Warren, John MacArthur and John Piper are some amazing men, they really are not that important to me. As I told one of my friends who was sitting at that table, “those guys are great, but I don’t have lunch with them each week.  However, I do have lunch with you.” That friend is making a greater impact on me and my ministry than those previously mentioned pastors. The truth is those men can’t connect with everyone on Earth on a consistent basis.  God has us strategically spread us out all over the planet to form and build relationships with people He desires us to connect with in our particular community.

It’s not the mega church pastors who are making the big difference in the lives of the people you care about.  It’s the average everyday people who take the time to sit down and have lunch with a friend that make the big impact. It’s the Sunday school teacher who invests countless hours trying to teach their students the wonder of God that make the impact. It’s the pastor who actively looks over his flock, no matter its size that is making the impact. Those are the people that matter in the lives of our neighbors.  When your friend is sick, they are not going to be calling Rick Warren, but I might just you.  I wish to say thank you to all the friends who have and are still making an impact in my life.

Who are you making a difference to?

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One Final note: I know I have not been blogging since April. Truth is life got to busy with school and trying to prepare for some big events. But, that is over now and I have some great news about another little project I’m involved in.  More of that to come soon.

Photo by deflam