Winds of Reputational Changes

It truly is incredible to watch and witness how communities operate.

Businesses come and go, as well as other organizations and the people who found them, build them and move on to other endeavors. Reputations are established and destroyed based on doing great things right and wrong things that result in great setbacks.

Then come the times of transition, as we've prayed over on previous occasions.

In Washington, there will now be a period of wait and see, until the first reports come out that things are well or don't worry, they haven't improved.

Similarly, the same things happen in towns everywhere, when new ownership and management come in with the intent to revitalize a store or a restaurant that for whatever reason was in jeopardy.

Change in reputations and repute take time... although it can be expedited. Although, come to think of it, thanks to social media, the change from to good to bad is often expedited even more quickly now, rather than turning the negative around for the good.

Churches are no exception. They have reputations just like any other organization. Some known for incredibly positive impacts, others for, well just about anything. And a change in the pastorate and leadership for a church that was struggling and in trouble can bring churches back to places of influence and impact for the kingdom of God.

Yet, it starts, like anything else, with the people. How we share are thoughts, opinions and interactions we people influences if they check out the newest coffee shop or clothing boutique in town. Just as much, how Christians discuss their church, pastors and matters of faith influences whether people check out a church or never to come close to a campus ever again.

So, would you join me once again, whether for the first time or the six hundred and first, on this #communitySaturday. Pray for churches and congregations whose reputations in  the community are less than positive. May God work in the hearts and lives of pastors and parishioners, for the impact a church makes on its community starts with the community of believers, not the community in need of God. Pray God would grant wisdom and direction as to the what, when, where and how changes, if any need to be made. For relationships and connections that need to be made with area leaders and influencers, may God grant favor in their conversations and exchanges. Pray God's strength for tough decisions, for even as we've witnessed this past week, not everyone will agree with the change in direction. May the truth of God prevail; though difficult to hear, it works best in the long run. May the eye-scales of deception be removed and the light of the Son of God reach into the depths of the souls of humanity.

That all may see and know
The goodness and greatness of God.
To experience firsthand the love of Christ.
Not because of the greatness of a church,
But the grace of God on a people who seeks to reach the lost
With the Gospel of Christ at any cost.

- PNC 

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