Christians: Do we really care?

"Hi, how are you" we ask brightly of that new person at the morning service.

"Oh – er - fine thanks," is the usual reply.

"That´s great," we say as we move away toward our church friends. We´ve heard what we want to hear.

In Australia, "how are you?" is used habitually as another way of saying "hello." It is said without thinking. Yet it is a question, and we should be genuinely interested in the answer. We say "how are you" but by our body language and facial expression people can sense if we really mean it or not.

If we want to say "hello" then we should simply say that. Surely a better alternative would be "How are you feeling?", and say it sincerely.

Have we the desire or inclination to listen if the reply is negative? If not, how can we "love our neighbour as ourselves," - Jesus´ second-greatest commandment.

Many are hurting deep down, and it is up to us as Christians to hear, to listen, to understand. People do not want a superficial Christianity, a church assembly where they sit, stand, sing, listen to a sermon, and depart with the same mental ache they arrived with.

The cause could be anything. They may have recently separated from their husband or wife, have a bill they cannot pay, or a father or mother who is terminally ill. They may have a child facing an operation tomorrow.

So much of our church conversation is banal, trivial. We must really care about people. Not everyone we first meet will reveal problems or troubles. However, those we converse with need to feel "here is someone who cares, someone prepared to listen to me."

A good church will have a policy of saying to newcomers: "Here is a prayer form with envelope. Anything troubling you, please write it down and we will pray for you." Then follow that with an offer of a home visit. If the offer is taken up – ensure someone visits!

Yes, there are pastors, and some would say it is their job. Maybe it is, but usually the first contact a visitor makes is not with the pastor but an ordinary church member. First impressions are lasting.

People have trite conversations (as in the first paragraph) constantly - at work, on the train, on the bus (even with folks they know). They come to church seeking something more, something deeper.

We must ask ourselves, "How would Jesus talk to this person. What would be His attitude?"

Christians are the arms, legs, voice of Jesus in our community. Non-believers watch to see if we are mere churchgoers, or whether the Holy Spirit is evident in our actions, behaviour, speech? Do they see Jesus in us?

So how do we achieve this caring attitude? By seeking God via the Word, by prayer as we make our way to the Sunday service. As we drive in the car we can say, "Lord, help me to help someone today. Help me to listen. Give me a caring disposition. Let it show."