Our family has been attending Northern Hills Christian Church in Brighton over the past 8 weeks or so. It is a wonderful place to worship as we look for God's direction on the next stages of ministry for our family. Three weeks ago, God placed a wonderful experience in front of us through the creative and risk-taking staff there at NHCC.
After a 7-week series on the book of Malachi called "Shoddy," teaching pastor Rob Kelly announced that we would have an opportunity to create a moment by which we could always remember this series and the challenge to give our best to God. Rob invited every adult in the room to leave their coat at the cross as a donation to a local homeless shelter. Instead of donating coats we would normally discard, why not give God your best--the one on your back right now?
The beauty of this moment in the service was, of course, the opportunity to give my favorite demin jacket away, but it was also the element of surprise. I have been writing for the Externally Focused Church movement for several years now. Both my husband and I have served on church staffs and with non profit organizations, so there are not too many moments that surprise us in church. This moment was beautifully unexpected and very meaninful for both of us. Tears streamed down faces as people, including the two of us, realized how hard it is to give something away as simple as a coat.
60-70% of the church gave their coats away that weekend--around 300 coats in all. In God's beautiful way, he orchestrated Colorado's first major snowstorm the very next weekend, as to remind me once again, how much more someone needed my coat than I. My closet is full of coats for all seasons and styles. How blessed I am, but how much more blessed it is to give what I have away.
Thank you, Rob, and the NHCC team for your boldness in leading us to moments of challenge and decision.
To learn more about the message series "Shoddy" visit www.northernhills.cc.
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