Let me second Steve Sr.’s comments. I have been struggling with what I have called “transactional evangelism”. If I do this… or say this, or serve in this way, then they owe me a positive response. they become a “lead” or a “prospect”. Obviously this is not how Jesus interacted with people. When I make contacts and build relationships because it makes my life better, and it makes their life better, I am doing what Jesus did. He came to live in relationship with us – that is all he has asks me to do. Go and live in relationship with the world around you.

I really wonder if we who call ourselvess followers of Jesus have enough of him in us to make an impact in others? He said people will know us by our love…that’s what I want to be today. Nothing more, nothing less. Blessings to you…

I too was a “people pleaser” however, with lots of prayer, I now am becoming a “God pleaser”! I don’t fully understand where you’re at, but in a way I do. It’s amazing the opportunities that God places in your path, you just have to swallow hard and jump in with both feet. God’s always there to pull you up!

You have a wonderful quality and that’s your love for our Father in Heaven! What else do you need?!

One thing I tell myself and my 4 children is, “You put into what you get out of it”! You give it your 150% you’ll get out 150%! But always remember this can only happen when God is in the CENTER of it all. Just some advise, it has always help my walk, hand in hand with the Lord!

I’ll be praying for God’s wisdom, strength, courage and boldness for you! I give thanks to God for your open heart to share your stuggles with us! I know it’s not easy. I give thanks to God for the example your heart and spirit is showing through His transparency! Keep you eyes fixed on Him and everything will come full circle. Blessings and Love, my Brother in Christ!!!

Carisse Berryhill is a friend we have in common, and she suggested that I might be of some help. (I knew Carisse when we both lived in Lubbock.)

I too am a church planter. I live in Merced, California, a city of 80k with a brand new University of California. My wife and I parachuted into this community with no team and not much money. We’ve been here nearly 3 years, and our church, LifeSpring, has been meeting for 1.5 years.

We’ve used networking and joining up as our chief means of marketing. I am set to become chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in July for a 1-year term.

If you’d like a more complete description of what’s happened, drop me a note, and I’ll be glad to share. I can also tell you about some books and resources that have been instrumental in influencing our direction.

I can identify with your agony of making connections. That was how I felt initially, however, I now feel totally at home with my particular method of “connecting.”

Blessings to you in what you are doing.

Bruce Logue

It is a test of our love… a test that I often fail. I am in the fundraising business, and I come up with every excuse in the world to avoid picking up the phone and calling donors to talk to them about the organization that I love.

I think that we both need to realize the truth in the old sales adage: “You get 0% of the things that you don’t ask for.”

Maybe you can just get a button that says, “I am a church starter. No, seriously, I am starting a church.” Or maybe a t-shirt that just says, “Church Planter.” And see who comes up to you.