This weekend we concluded our Malachi series at Northern Hills. The message throughout the series was to Give God our Best! When we started the series we wanted to come up with a way for people to remember their commitment to give God their best. We wanted to provide a "drive the stake in the ground" - "this is the day" moment. The teaching team decided that on an unannounced weekend we would ask people to give their coat away. Yep, without warning, at the conclusion of the services one weekend we would ask people to give their coat away. Our thought was that most people when wearing a jacket to church, wear their nicest coat or one of their best. To give that jacket away would be a sacrifice and possibly a defining act or at least a spiritually memorable moment.
We had the messages ready; organizations lined up to receive the donated coats; we kept it a secret - only a handful of people knew this was coming; it was all a go except...... the weather. We experienced near record breaking warmth during the series. Too warm in fact for nearly anyone to wear a jacket each weekend. We decided to put the idea on hold until the weather turned cold. If it did not before the series ended, then we would use the idea another time.
This week it was not actually cold, but it was cold enough for many people to wear jackets, so we went for it. We waited until the end of each service and then we explained what we were doing and what the symbolism was in giving away your jacket. We were very careful to avoid "guilting" anyone into giving away their jacket.
The response was incredible. Many individuals gave their jacket through tears and prayers. And let me tell you - there were some nice jackets given away! It was awesome to see the people of NHCC collectively build an altar of coats as remembrance that we will strive to give God our best through his strength and grace.
In total, 255 coats were given on the spur of the moment. My hope and prayer for each person who gave their coat, is that this weekend will be a powerful reminder of God's goodness, and their personal commitment. Praise God for the incredible way he used this series in the life of NHCC.
People of Norther Hills.....................YOU ROCK!!! I am so proud of you and humbled to do life and ministry with you.
Wow, the coat action was incredible, what a great idea! My brother Steve, who is with the YWAM Hope House in New Orleans, has told me about services where they have done similar things - in every case people have been blessed beyond messure. God really does fill our cup to overflowing when we do our part!
Posted by: Jack | December 04, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Wow! Great idea. I'd have loved to see that! I heard a pastor once say, "You shouldn't have anything you're not willing to give away." I like that.
Posted by: Chris | December 04, 2007 at 04:53 AM
I wore a new coat that day that my father-in-law gave me recently and I put in with the rest - hope he doesn't find out! However, now I have a hood at home that doesn't go on any other coat....
Posted by: Donna | December 06, 2007 at 12:39 PM