3 November, 2024

Why Wait?

by | 22 September, 2020 | 1 comment

By Michael C. Mack

After our wedding in 1990, Heidi and I moved into a 40-unit apartment building in Cincinnati. We wanted to lead an investigative Bible study to reach out to people who lived there, so I asked Glen, a minister at our church, to tell me how to start.

“I don’t think you should do a Bible study . . . at least not yet,” he said.

The tilt of my head and subconscious furrow of my brow must have given away my concern; I was eager to start this study right away and allow God to use us to reach lost people. Why wait?

Glen smiled. “Take some time and build friendships with people first,” he responded to my silent question. “Pray for the people there, ask God to prepare the way for this and to make their hearts receptive.”

“Then what?” I asked.

“You wait. Wait until the time is right.”

“How will we know when the time’s right?”

“I don’t know. Just pray. The Holy Spirit will let you know,” he said.

That wasn’t the answer I was looking for. My pragmatic nature wanted a specific date and time and a 10-point list of action steps. But we did what Glen suggested—making friends, praying, watching for the Spirit to move. We found out where people liked to gather, and we hung out with them: at the swimming pool, in the front lobby, in one another’s apartments. We looked for opportunities to start and build friendships as we rode the elevator, did laundry, and helped people who were moving in. As we got to know people in the building, they invited us to parties and game nights and we gladly accepted. We drank water and soft drinks while they drank beer and shots (and went to a separate room to smoke joints)—and we found we got much better at the games as the night progressed! We asked them about themselves, listened, loved them, and didn’t judge them. But we lived as Christians before them.

A year and a half later we were still befriending, praying, and watching. I thought Glen was crazy. We wondered if the Holy Spirit would ever “let us know.”

One evening Sherry, the apartment building manager, stopped me. She told me that Sigma, who lived in the building with her boyfriend, Vic, had been approached by a member of a cult and invited to attend their Bible study. Sherry asked me to talk to Sigma about this cult.

Sigma and about six other people from our building were sitting around a table by the swimming pool. I answered Sigma’s questions about the cult and warned her about the dangers of getting involved with them, even in their Bible study. In the midst of our conversation, Marty interrupted. Marty was a longhaired guy who wore black AC-DC T-shirts, and I’m pretty sure he was the pot provider for the apartment building. At least he smelled like it.

“So, Mike,” he asked, “why don’t you think Sigma should attend a Bible study?”

I started to reply, but Marty cut me off again.

“Why don’t we just start our own Bible study here?”

“I would do that,” someone else said. “We can meet in my apartment. . . . And I’ll make food!”

Another person chimed in, “How about if we meet at different people’s apartments each week? Whoever hosts can provide food. We could invite other people from the building too!”

I sat and listened as they planned the whole thing.

Then Sherry looked at me and said, “This sounds great, but we need someone who knows the Bible to teach this thing. . . . Mike, would you lead it?”

A week later we started a study on who Jesus is. The first week, Vic asked, “So, how do you become a Christian?” The group gathered the next morning as I baptized Vic in the apartment building’s swimming pool. Vic woke up half the building and gathered a larger crowd when he let out a whoop as he entered the cold water. Sigma gave her life to Christ after we studied with her for about a year. Eventually everyone in that group turned their lives over to Jesus; many did so after Heidi and I had moved from the building.

Glen knew something I didn’t know at the time but that I’ve learned many times since: nothing of real significance will be accomplished apart from God’s leading and power. I may have lots of plans and ideas, but God’s purpose always prevails, and his timing is always perfect.

Michael C. Mack is editor of Christian Standard. After serving churches in Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Kentucky, he and Heidi now live in Pewee Valley, Kentucky.

<a href="https://christianstandard.com/author/mmackchristianstandardmedia-com/" target="_self">Michael Mack</a>

Michael Mack

Michael C. Mack is editor of Christian Standard. He has served in churches in Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Kentucky. He has written more than 25 books and discussion guides as well as hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and web-based articles.

1 Comment

  1. Larry E Whittington

    I have been wanting our congregation (church) to just use the Bible sometimes instead of the small group lesson books that it seems to always choose. I keep suggesting just using the Bible. My wife and I were talking about it and she said maybe I just need to wait until the right time. Instead of just moving on to a different congregation (church), maybe I will.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.