Saving Souls 22 Inches at a Time - A Vicar's Voice
You may remember that back in March, Ms. Nancy Marshall penned a piece encouraging us all to be prepared with an “elevator pitch” for those moments that we find ourselves in conversation with others, be it a stranger in the restaurant or the narthex, where God grants an opportunity in time to share about Mount Calvary and the gifts that Christ offers to sinners and saints. You guys must be getting good at it as we see more souls walking in the doors every week, and we’ve also had over 8,000 visits to our website so far this year, which has been helpful too.
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Another place that provides the occasion for chatting with someone about Christ that we often hear stories of like elevators, is on an airplane. These moments allow us to use our voice to communicate some of the peace, comfort, and community that we have been blessed with here at Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, as we gather around God’s Word and His Sacraments to see faith take root, grow, and then be strengthened by these gifts. Did you know that the average width of an airplane seat in Economy seating is around 18 inches and the average width of a seat in First Class is 22 inches? I know many people who will carry small booklets or extra bibles to hand out while sharing the good news of Jesus Christ when in these moments we have in time. We think of First-Class arrangements, like 22 inches of seating space, as luxurious, and someone may even bring you a cup of wine.
With the realization that the Lord has been calling more and more souls who have been given the hunger for God’s Word properly preached and His Sacraments correctly given, we are having to sit closer in our new pews. The architect tells us the width per person is 22 inches and this number has been brought up recently in conversations and meetings. I encourage us that next time you see someone looking for a seat, to scoot in tight and flag them down to sit beside you. Enjoy together as the Lord of Lord and the King of Kings, comes to us and to serve us and forgive us of our sins in our humble home at Mount Calvary. Now that’s First-Class! Then after the service, give them your elevator pitch.
You may have heard the topic talked about in the Narthex or perhaps with a group over a brew, or you may have participated in a recent congregational meeting that included discussion about the potential future need to begin offering Christ’s gifts where He promises to give them, the Divine Service, twice on the Lord’s Day. If a farmer who was harvesting much from one field, had the opportunity to double the size of that fertile field, therein doubling the inches of soil that good seed can be spread, seed that can take root and bear fruit for the Farmer’s will, should it be well considered?
~ Vicar Michael Usner
