The Blog of Gordon Pifher

Changing A Life “I want to thank you for being such a positive influence in my life”. I was certainly humbled as a twenty year old young man began a conversation with those words. Several years ago, I had been a Conference Youth Director when he was just a kid. He proceeded to give me some wonderful and yet embarrassing affirmation. For a moment, I wondered what great thing I had done to deserve this accolade.

Could it possibly be that. . .

• I had had an outstanding Week of Prayer or. . .
• He had been on one of the life-changing mission trips I had organized or…
• Could it have been a great sermon that I had delivered?

I assured him of the reality that, if he had ever seen anything good in me, it was a gift from God. Then, I asked him what it was that he remembered about my ministry. His answer was both humbling and revealing - the golden image of the importance of my organization or preaching skills was soon demolished with this revealing reply: “What changed my life? . . . You knew my name”. In a world crammed with informational bombardment, countless programs, and communication overload, some still recognize that it might be “all in a name”. For example, look what has happened to me in the last few days:

• The grocery store cashier returned my debit card and said “Thank-you, Mr. Pifher”. • The rental car agent opened our conversation with “Mr. Pifher, let me help choose your car.” • My familiar online web sites now greet me with a “Welcome Gordon” • Last night the hotel clerk had a personalized handwritten card for “Gordon” and a nice welcome from “Murray” the sales manager. • The church I attended last week gave every guest and church member a name tag. I was on a first name basis with everyone immediately. I felt part of the family. They knew my name.

Do You Know Their Name? Here are some suggestions that I have seen some churches practicing:

• Greeters and elders meet after each service in order to acquaint themselves with each visitor’s name • Name tags are given for both visitors and members • Bulletin inserts with “the member of the week” feature (with permission) • Church member birthday, anniversary cards • Personal notes and phone messages • Members’ and visitors’ picture bulletin board • Sabbath school class where you are called by name each week.

GOD Knows YOUR Name “He calls his own sheep by name” John 10:2 - 4

Good Council From Apostle Paul Members and visitors will go to a place where people know their name. The apostle Paul gives good counsel. “I want to see you face to face, but until then, be sure you “greet the friends by name” 3 John 1:14