Feeling Needed Part 1, "Why it's important"

After this past summer our church has lost roughly half our members for a variety of reasons.  It wasn’t fun, and it puts us in a financially fragile position.  However, I trust God that it’s part of His plan.  At least part of God's plan seems to be:    

1.     We’re more dependent on Him

2.     Members who were on the sideline before now feel needed

Of course all our members were needed before, but that doesn’t mean that they felt needed.  Some felt marginalized or not old enough or too old or not talented enough or not spiritual enough.  There's also a tendency for people in larger churches to feel that if they don't serve that they wouldn't be missed.

Along these lines, think about this.  These same feelings of marginalization are often felt by our children.  We need to help our children feel needed in the family.   Unfortunately, many children and youth don't see the potential value they could contribute to the family.  So, they grow up as consumers feeling entitled to the privileges of family without being expected to embrace any real responsibilities.  

How do we better help people in our church and family feel needed?