Elevator Pitch

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have”

1 Peter 3.15

From David

On Sunday, Toni told us, that workplace trainers talk about “the elevator pitch” exercise. They get you to imagine finding yourself in a lift with a senior member of the organisation you work for. You have a few moments to ‘pitch yourself’ to them. The idea is that you should prepare a short pitch about yourself in advance for that sort of opportunity.

She then used it as a way of understanding Peter’s command here – if someone asks you, “Why are you a Christian?” or “Why do you go to church?” what would you say. By thinking about it now, we will be in a better position when it happens for real.

So at the end of the service I encouraged the children to ask their parents and carers over lunch what their pitch would be? I should have kept my mouth shut as I was asked what my elevator pitch would be!

So here is my answer to why I am a Christian: “It’s because of Jesus. Knowing him has transformed my life, given me a deep happiness and a stronger resilience. I am basically a fearful person who is a bit of a melancholic, and he gives me security and hope. He has made it possible for me to be forgiven and so I no longer have to live with the guilt of the things I’ve done wrong. He has also defeated death and so I know I am not running out of time, or missing out of happiness. And he is always with me and so I am never lonely. Most of all though, he is for me and so despite all of my fears, I feel safe.

This doesn’t even begin to say it all. But that is the point about the elevator pitch – you don’t have to say it all – you just have to say enough.

I also said that our final song is a good source for material for the elevator pitch. Here are the words:

There’s a place where the streets shine
With the glory of the Lamb.
There’s a way, we can go there,
We can live there beyond time.

Because of You, because of You,
Because of Your love,
Because of Your blood.

No more pain, no more sadness,
No more suffering, no more tears.
No more sin, no more sickness,
No injustice, no more death.

Because of You, because of You,
Because of Your love,

Because of Your blood.

All our sins are washed away,
And we can live forever,
Now we have this hope,
Because of You.
Oh, we’ll see You face to face,
And we will dance together
In the city of our God,
Because of You.

There is joy everlasting,
There is gladness, there is peace.
There is wine ever flowing,
There’s a wedding, there’s a feast.