Becoming part of the tribe!

Ever notice how we naturally resort to the "tribe" mentality when someone new comes into our group. Not saying it's wrong I just think it's natural. Over the past few weeks I've been able to see this first hand in two different circles. In my attempt to try and get to know people I've started working my way into those two circles. I love playing basketball so I've started going to men's open gym during the lunch hour on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It's funny, I received the same reception at men's open gym that I did at the pastors prayer group I attend each Tuesday. Again, nothing wrong with that. What reception am I talking about? The "size him up" reception. I am far from being a great basketball player, although I know I can hold my own in a YMCA open gym. But what do the guy's there do from day one? They hesitate to pass me the ball, the look at me as a 3rd or LAST option on offense. They want to watch "can this guy play or is he just here cause he's fat and wants to lose weight?" I've been to open gym 5 or 6 times now, yesterday guess what happened? I'd broke into the tribe. I became an important part of the team, they looked to pass me the ball when I cut, posted up. I was rewarded for crashing the boards (rebounding), and playing hard defense. Today at the pastors meeting (after attending 3 weeks and meeting personally with several of them) they prayed for our church. They asked "How are things going Jeff?" I became part of their tribe. What are you getting at Jeff? Glad you asked. Why do we want to provide inflatable games at an Easter Egg hunt? Why do we want to serve pancakes during the pancake feed at Frontier Days or give out free water at the Memorial Day provide, or provide a gas buy down for folks on the air force base? Because Cheyenne is going to size Element Church up to see whether we'll be accepted into their tribe. My desire is that we will crash the boards, play hard defense, hustle down the court, do the things that doesn't get the glitz and the glamour and guess who will call on us in a time of need? The tribe! That's how I see it anyway. Our willingness to work hard and serve our community gains us respect, acceptance and open doors. THEN we can share with them the Gospel that compels us to do so.