Comet, HMV, Jessops and others have gone out of business, but Waitrose and John Lewis continue to grow.
Why is that?
The chief executive of John Lewis claimed that part of the reason is their company structure. The staff who serve us at Waitrose, and at all the John Lewis department stores, have a share in the company's profits, so it is in their interests to do their best. Being partners is significant.
This made me think about what St. Paul tells us about the local and world-wide Christian community.
'The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptised into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.' (1 Corinthians 12.12-13)
Becasue we are all part of the body of Christ, it means we all have a part to play in helping others to have a positive experience when they encounter us.
It has been very significant at St. Andrew's that following our doing the Everybody Welcome course last year, the quality of our welcome to our many visitors has improved greatly, from very many people. I guess that we have all been more active in doing our best for the sake of the people who are not yet our members! As St. Paul stated, 'All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.' (1 Corinthians 12.27)
Thank you for your part in St. Andrew's Church (or the one of which you are a part!). Let's keep working together to help others come to know Jesus.
Best wishes,
Richard
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