“Almost any place you go in Florida, it’s about presentation.” – Jedd
I visited by brother Jedd in Florida recently. We were sitting outside watching a team of people straighten pool side deck chairs and hose off sand from the patio. They kept things very neat. In passing he made the comment, “everything in Florida is about presentation”.
What does presentation do? It packages the product and the message. It aids in the process of limiting hindrances to the message being received. In the case of the ocean, it’s beauty speaks for itself. But when the beach is trashed, it’s not quite as grand. Presentation is important.
Presentation comes in many different forms – from setting the table, to sharing an idea, to mowing the lawn. But, I began to think about presentation as it relates to the church. God’s Word is powerful and stands alone. But, I believe there are some places in Scripture that call us to present it well:
1) Miracles: When Elisha came against the prophets of Baal, he in some ways presented the miracle by adding water to the altar before the fire came. (I Kings 18:30…) Another example is when Jesus healed the blind man: After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. (John 9:6-7)
2) Attitudes of Christians: Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. (Phil. 2:14-15)
3) Showing the World Love: So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35)
4)Ministry to the community around us: Make straight the way of the Lord… (John 1:23b) John the Baptist understood his role to introduce Jesus to the world.
5) Pray with purpose: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6
6) Giving our all to Christ: Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3)
Whether you are leading a church, a camp or conference ministry or a faith based non profit ministry, much of your time will be spent presenting the face of your organization to the world. Presentation is not easy. And presentation isn’t about faking people out. It’s about being a great steward of all that God has given you and doing the consistent work of making Him known to the world!
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