Who have you been with?

There is an old adage for pastors I learned when I was in seminary

"People don't care how much you know
Until they know how much you care."

I get it
"Pastor,
Caring comes before preaching."

But, that's not how I see many of my colleagues interpreting that statement.

It looks more like this:
"Care for your congregation just enough so that they won't get too upset when you talk over their heads with a vocabulary you learned while getting your masters or doctorate degrees."

I know one pastor who told her congregation from the pulpit that she was smarter than they were because she went to _______ University and _______ Seminary.

Usually it is more subtle than that.

I recently came to the epiphany that
Mostly
The congregations I have served and led have not cared how much I know.
Not one person in any of my congregations has ever asked to see my report cards.
Not one.
Ever.

They don't care how much I know.
I think what they mostly care about when I step to the pulpit
is
Have I been with the risen Christ this week
And will I share it?

I believe that there is a tremendous hunger in our congregations
and in the world at large
to be with people
and to hear from people
who have been with the risen Christ
and who will share that experience
not just with words
but through attitude
and outlook
and living in general.

So, I might reword that old adage to say
"People don't care how much you know
until they see who you have been with."

My plan from now on
when I approach the pulpit
is to say
if only to myself
"I have been with the risen Christ this week
and it has made an impact on my life
and I want to share it with you."

For all believers
I want to encourage you to try that same thing
when you go to work
when you go to school
when you work out at the club
when you hang out with friends.

I am absolutely
100% convinced
with all that I am
that there is a tremendous thirst
in our congregations
and in the world
to be with
and to hear from
people who have been with and
whose lives have been changed by
the risen Christ.

But, don't take my word for it.

Take a good look around your school
your office
your church.

Any hope there?
Any joy there?
Any passion there?

If you have been with the risen Christ
then you have living water
and the world
my friends
is parched.