Footmarks May

“So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob’” (Genesis 32:27)

In his powerful letter to the small Christian community in Rome the apostle Paul urges these followers of Christ to ”love one another warmly” and to “honour one another” (Rom.12:10).

Surely one of the most simple yet important ways we do this is by learning each other’s names. When we use someone else’s name “in love” we show true respect to them, and honour their unique personality. It is the starting point, the corner-stone in building a genuine connection and relationship with another person.

Chances are if we don’t know another person’s name we will know little else about them. We will remain strangers who regularly see but don’t know each other. In the church we often claim to be “family” or “sisters and brothers in Christ”. Yet how can this be so if we don’t even know each other’s names? Family members know each other’s names!

If we want to have a warm and genuine sense of fellowship and family at St. Marks this is surely step one. If we are to successfully achieve it we will all need to take responsibility. With a small faith community of less than seventy people it should be easy.

People say to me “I’m terrible at remembering names”. This is not an excuse!
If we take the task seriously we will surprise ourselves. We all have our own way of remembering.

But I think one thing is certain. If we get involved with another person we will remember his/her name. If we make a point of talking with another person and use their name in the conversation this begins to reinforce something. The first letter of Peter ends with an encouragement to “Greet one another”.

If we make a point of greeting another person by name each time we see them it not only cements our bond but it also helps us remember more easily their name next time. So don’t just say “good morning” or “hello” or “kia ora”, but “Good morning, May”.

We can also pray for people and use names regularly as part of this. Write a name down if you’re a visual person and keep their name in a place where you will regularly see it. If you look on my office desk you’ll find the names of shop-keepers, and people I meet in the street. People never forget you if you remember their name. Your connection with them deepens immediately.

This month let’s make our congregational project learning each other’s names.

Mark