As pastor of an urban church I thought it would be good
to look for unchurched families to whom we could extend
the hand of friendship and an invitation to attend
our worship service or some other church event they might
find helpful or enjoyable. So every Monday night
we sent out teams of members two-by-two, whom we had trained
to do such calling, and for most their interest never waned.
Each Monday night we closed with what we called “The Afterglow,“
when all the teams reported their encounters “blow-by-blow.”
Our visitors in almost every case were well received,
and people seemed most willing to discuss what they believed.
Experiences varied. Some were funny, some intense.
The opportunities to be of service were immense.
The callers often found that in the homes to which they went
the people were quite grateful, as if they were heaven sent.
Our most enthusiastic visitor was Allen B.
No one was more encouraging and positive than he.
No matter what the outcome of his calls on any night,
he’d say that it was “Fabulous!” His joy was a delight.
Now, Wilson, on the other hand, was just the opposite.
He came to call on Monday nights but had no love for it.
Whenever he reported for his team, I’d hold my breath.
He looked and sounded like a man announcing someone’s death.
Half empty was the glass of life for Wilson, not half full.
The word he used to summarize his night was “Terrible!”
The fact that he was willing to participate at all
was to his credit, yet whenever he’d show up to call
I must confess I worried, for he was so negative.
I wondered if there were some “ideal” cards that I could give
to Wilson and his partner, so there would be no harm done.
I could not let him hinder the good work that had begun.
I tried to work with Wilson to get him to “loosen up.”
Whenever Wilson spoke, he snarled like one unhappy pup.
I told him he reminded me of someone I had seen
some years before in movies, who was funny being mean.
The name of the comedian was Ned Sparks, and he had
an even disposition: he was always looking mad.
To me and all the callers he was “Ned” from that time on.
But still he would say “Terrible!” when asked how things had gone.
But then I had a brilliant thought; I knew just what to do.
I’d team Ned up with Allen B., the ideal caller, who
could help his pessimistic partner think more cheerfully
and learn how great a visiting experience can be.
For Al’s enthusiasm was contagious and so I
was sure that Wilson’s spirits would that night be soaring high.
As it so happened, there were more than twenty teams that night,
and as each team reported, everything was going right.
The Spirit had been mightily at work, and there had been
so many homes where callers were invited to “Come in!”
As things worked out, the last team to report was Allen B’s.
I prayed: “Let Allen do the talking, Lord, not Wilson, please!”
I didn’t want our gloomy friend to douse the “Afterglow,”
for if he did feel positive that night, it didn’t show.
God granted my request, and I was very much relieved,
when Allen B. stood up, for he was always well received,
and he would end our celebration on the perfect note.
For anyone’s discouragement Al was the antidote.
He saw the rosy side of things and joyfully enthused
about the possibilities. No challenge was refused.
For up-beat closers Allen was the most reliable.
“How did it go for your team, Al?” He answered: “Terrible!”
A POSTSCRIPT
That night I learned a lesson that I never will forget.
The influence of attitudes like Wilson’s haunts me yet.
P. S. There is a bright side to the story, I must add.
Though negative, our friend was really far more good than bad.
I said to him, “We have a pressing need that you could fill,
to update and index our prospect cards and files.” “I will!”
said Wilson eagerly. He seemed excited and relieved,
for now he would contribute in a way that he perceived
was really quite important ---and he wouldn’t have to call.
He’d found his niche, and now he could feel good about it all!
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