Having been a lost sheep I understand quite a bit about being lost.  So if you are a Christian who would like to help Jesus the Good Shepherd let me tell you a bit about the ‘psyche’ and personality of the lost sheep.

Firstly lost sheep often don’t know they are lost and they will resent being accused of being lost.  My professional career was in marketing and some marketers use a technique we call “FUD”.  FUD stands for fear, uncertainty and doubt.  Some marketers use the fear factor to convince you to buy their product, i.e., no one will get fired if you buy from ABC company.  This technique might sound like this to a lost sheep, “If you don’t come to Church you will go to hell!”  Most lost sheep will run if you speak to them like this and in fact the FUD marketing slogans usually don’t work for long.

I was always of the opinion that great marketers that really believe in what they are selling will explain to you the benefits of their solution.  We call this the “value proposition.”  There are so many reasons to want to learn the Word of God.  The Bible contains the promises that God makes to His people.  It reveals His great love and the eternal rewards He offers.  It’s exciting to learn about Jesus and His will.  Jesus promises to help us with all our problems.  “I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

Lost sheep will respond to God’s “value proposition” because He offers so much for those who are willing to follow Him.  But unfortunately lost sheep are commonly not signing up for Bible studies.  So we need to go to where they are.  Social networks are a great place to meet new friends.  If you share this post on your facebook page perhaps one of your friends will become intrigued with the promises of Jesus.  Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Lost sheep are like most people, they respond to people who are tender and kind. “Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.  Isaiah 40:1  If we scold lost sheep like we do little children they will likely walk away.  How likely is the man to get a second date with a woman he shames on the first date?  Unlikely…but what if that man treats that the woman like she is beautiful and honourable.  Will she not begin to feel beautiful and act honourable?

The first step in a formal sales process is always “establish rapport”.  It’s not ask for the deal.  It’s simply let’s get to know one another.  I want to understand your needs and I want to have a relationship with you and I am willing to invest in that possibility.  I think we need to do more to draw families back into our prayer congregations by speaking tenderly to our friends who may not have been to Church for a long time.  Jesus waits for His people.  Jesus died for His people.

When I began serving in the Church teaching children about Jesus and their First Sacraments, what surprised me was that parents participating said to me “I learned so much too!”  I was so excited to be proclaiming God’s love and one man said to me:  “You know, you have convinced me that the Church has changed so much.  When I prepared for my First Communion it was all about sin and do not do this and do not do that, but this was all about love.”  And he smiled at me.  And I smiled at him.  Glory to Jesus who was really the one leading all of us!

Thank You Holy LORD for saving me, a lost sheep.  Thank You for sending me spiritual guides that would speak tenderly to me and guide me to You and thank You for never giving up on me.  I love You so much Jesus!  And thank You too Holy Mother of God, my Blessed Queen and Mother for helping me to love Jesus with all my heart!