A FAMILIAR STRANGER
As ministry expands, it becomes increasingly difficult for me to be authentic. When there were 1,000 in our church, I knew almost everyone by name. When the number increased to 2,000, I still recognized most faces. But now I can’t do even that. Yet I still feel like I should try to know everyone. Recently I saw a man at a community gathering who looked at me as though he recognized me. I smiled and nodded. He nodded back. I went over and shook hands and said, “How have you been?” “Fine, and you?” “I’m fine, too.” “How’s your family?” “Everybody’s doing well, thanks.” “Some interesting people here, don’t you think?” “Sure are.” We made small talk for about five minutes, when finally I said: “I’ve got to be honest with you. I can’t remember your name.” He said, “I don’t know you either. Who are you?” We’d both been bluffing it for the entire conversation! From Robert Russell, “The Price…
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