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by David Phelps

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa

December, 1996

Do you remember a television show called Mister Ed? It was about a talking horse named Ed, and his owner, Wilbur. Like most tv shows, it had a theme song. In particular, there was a part of the song that went like this:

“People yakety-yak a streak and waste your time of day.
“But Mister Ed will never speak unless he has something to say.”

As Christians, we have something to say to the people around us. Especially, those of us who attend Maplewood United Methodist Church have something to say. Our church has a great deal to offer, if you are willing to come and be involved. We have marvelous preaching; wonderful music; warm, friendly people; and more. Don't just take my word for it—the District Superintendent thinks so too. In fact, he said so at our recent Charge Conference; but he also said we need to make sure we tell others what a great church we attend.

Some time ago, my wife, Charlotte, and I were in the car, listening to a radio program. There was a profile of the Second Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. Of course, you know everything is big in Texas, but the folks at the Second Baptist Church do things really big. The church has a Sunday morning attendance of over three thousand people. The typical Sunday morning offering is nearly three hundred fifty thousand dollars. The church has a health club for members, a day care center, and more. You can bet they don't have any trouble letting folks know what their church has to offer; you can also bet they didn’t get where they are by being quiet about it.

A church like that one might give us an inferiority complex but it shouldn’t. We have a lot to offer our own community; I’ve named some things already. Most important, no church could be more open and accepting than ours. We have one of the most diverse congregations anywhere, regardless of size. Bigger isn't necessarily better—just louder sometimes. Our District Superintendent called our church “the best-kept secret in Maplewood.” It’s time to tell the secret to everyone who will hear it.

“And he said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light.’” (Luke 4:21-22 RSV.)

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Copyright © 1996 by Maplewood UMC