I Still Love My Job
Have I said that before?
I love cold-calling on churches.
I have a few standard lines I use when calling on churches. Often I will break the ice by saying, "It sounds phony to say, 'I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd drop in,' but, I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd drop in."
It usually gets at least a smile. When describing my position as Alpha's Regional Director for Alberta, I say, "I love Alpha and I love driving, so I've got the perfect job. And besides, this is my retirement career, so I've got nothing better to do."
Yesterday I made a round trip to Devon and Drayton Valley. One of the things I enjoy is that I am usually welcomed genuinely, and if a particular church is not interested in Alpha, at least politely. Practically every church, or at least someone on their staff, is familiar with Alpha.
I find it oddly curious when, as I experienced in one church yesterday, I am told they have no real interest in running Alpha, yet the pastor I spoke with said, "I know Alpha is effective. We have a number of people in our congregation who came to faith on Alpha and were baptized." I smiled politely, and said, "That's great!," but inwardly I was shaking my head.
A few highlights of my trip:
There are three churches in Devon who would self-identify as, "evangelical." I had encouraging visits with all of them. Two have run Alpha, one might.
The Anglican church, St George's, was in the process of getting ready for a community meal they serve on Thursdays. When I walked in the front door, I could smell food and hear conversation coming from the basement, so I walked down. The whole group was very friendly and invited me to stay for lunch, but this was my last stop of the morning (11:30: and I wanted to get to Drayton Valley for the afternoon, so I declined, in spite of rather persistent invitations to stay. It turns out that their Rector was also Rector in St Catherine's in Edson when we lived there. Small world.
So... lunch at Tim Horton's in Drayton Valley. There was no one in at two of the churches on my list, but among the others I visited was one I have visited before, and is one of my most encouraging; St Anthony's Catholic Church. They have run Alpha for years and plan to again in the fall.
On my way out of town, I passed the Drayton Christian School, so popped in there, using my, 'in the neighbourhood...' line. One of the people at the front desk happened to be the Principal, and we had a great conversation. I will put her in touch with Amy Croy, our Albert Alpha for Youth coach, whose vision it is to see Alpha in every school.
I also made contact with the Almond Tree Life Centre, who registered with Alpha and are planning to run Alpha in the fall. Its director attends Drayton Valley's Life Church, another church not on my list, but whose neighbourhood I just happened to be in. The pastor wasn't there but the two women I met had great things to say about Alpha.
That was my yesterday.
Blessings,
John
I love cold-calling on churches.
I have a few standard lines I use when calling on churches. Often I will break the ice by saying, "It sounds phony to say, 'I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd drop in,' but, I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd drop in."
It usually gets at least a smile. When describing my position as Alpha's Regional Director for Alberta, I say, "I love Alpha and I love driving, so I've got the perfect job. And besides, this is my retirement career, so I've got nothing better to do."
Yesterday I made a round trip to Devon and Drayton Valley. One of the things I enjoy is that I am usually welcomed genuinely, and if a particular church is not interested in Alpha, at least politely. Practically every church, or at least someone on their staff, is familiar with Alpha.
I find it oddly curious when, as I experienced in one church yesterday, I am told they have no real interest in running Alpha, yet the pastor I spoke with said, "I know Alpha is effective. We have a number of people in our congregation who came to faith on Alpha and were baptized." I smiled politely, and said, "That's great!," but inwardly I was shaking my head.
A few highlights of my trip:
There are three churches in Devon who would self-identify as, "evangelical." I had encouraging visits with all of them. Two have run Alpha, one might.
The Anglican church, St George's, was in the process of getting ready for a community meal they serve on Thursdays. When I walked in the front door, I could smell food and hear conversation coming from the basement, so I walked down. The whole group was very friendly and invited me to stay for lunch, but this was my last stop of the morning (11:30: and I wanted to get to Drayton Valley for the afternoon, so I declined, in spite of rather persistent invitations to stay. It turns out that their Rector was also Rector in St Catherine's in Edson when we lived there. Small world.
So... lunch at Tim Horton's in Drayton Valley. There was no one in at two of the churches on my list, but among the others I visited was one I have visited before, and is one of my most encouraging; St Anthony's Catholic Church. They have run Alpha for years and plan to again in the fall.
On my way out of town, I passed the Drayton Christian School, so popped in there, using my, 'in the neighbourhood...' line. One of the people at the front desk happened to be the Principal, and we had a great conversation. I will put her in touch with Amy Croy, our Albert Alpha for Youth coach, whose vision it is to see Alpha in every school.
I also made contact with the Almond Tree Life Centre, who registered with Alpha and are planning to run Alpha in the fall. Its director attends Drayton Valley's Life Church, another church not on my list, but whose neighbourhood I just happened to be in. The pastor wasn't there but the two women I met had great things to say about Alpha.
That was my yesterday.
Blessings,
John
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