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Contributed by Ginny Huntzinger

It has been my experience and that of other New Church "converts" with whom I have had acquaintance that finding the Doctrines of the New Church is no accident. Whether one has come across a book of Swedenborg in a library, picked up a brochure from the floor of a streetcar, attended a spiritual growth class, or responded to a recommendation from a friend to "go visit that Church on the hill," the potential "newcomer" has been Providentially called or so it appears.

What appears to be the profile of this person? The outstanding attributes appear to be a state of receptivity and a love of and searching for truth. I can only imagine Jesus sitting next to a thirsty soul and guiding him or her to lower the empty bucket into the dark, deep well and hand-over-hand drawing up the vessel full of clean, pure water.

From the very first drop of water, or Truth as we know it, the quenching begins but the thirst continues. For those who appear to be Providentially led, the awkwardness of Swedenborg’s style of writing may require a little effort; the complexity of the ideas may require more concentration; the sermons may seem too intellectual. In hindsight, these turn out not to be deterrents, but merely stepping stones to the Rock that is higher than we. For the person who is not in the state of receptivity, these and other things, may be the reason for them not to go forward. The Lord leads and guides the searching soul! It appears that for those who are receptive the difficult spots, circumstances, or situations are only challenges.

In my personal story, it was Otho Heilman, an elderly, loving and kind gentleman, who gave up his seat in the Cathedral to two young married women. It was Otho Heilman who waited after Church to learn that we had children and he had been the Principal of the Elementary School. A few days later, it was Otho Heilman who came for a visit. These memorable visits continued weekly until his death a couple of years later. The Lord gave us Otho Heilman who guided us through the introductory stage. His friendship was steady and sure, loving and pure. He was the instrument of the Lord who sat next to this thirsty soul at the well and watched as I drank, and drank and drank.

Who is this receptive soul waiting for the New Church? If only we knew our mission would not seem so daunting. If this hypothesis, as set forth above, is correct, it is the receptive person thirsting for and loving Truth. (Simple answer; complex challenge.) Every thirsty person is not sitting next to the well. But since they are not easily identifiable, everyone must be invited to COME, to draw up the bucket and drink of the Truth. The Lord issued the invitation and the Lord has appointed us His disciples to go out into the world and preach His gospel. Spiritual Journeys are one method; there are many more. We must always take heart; we must always have hope. It appears that ours is not to control the amount of growth, or set membership goals, or feel defeated, or victorious. Our call is to be a partner with the Lord in providing opportunities for Him to work through us - anywhere, everywhere, and with anyone He brings to us through our efforts to reach out and His guidance to draw in.