From the Pastors
Our 2019-20 Ministry Year Theme is “Everyday Blessings.” This year, we hope to take inspiration from the example of the early followers of Jesus, following the helpful acronym, BLESS. Each month, our newsletter will look at a different letter of this acronym to see how it might help guide our life together in the 21st century.
B - Begin with prayer. L - Listen. E - Eat. S - Serve. S - Share.
This month’s focus is: S - Share.
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” —Romans 10:14-15
How have you been doing? Have you practiced this year’s ministry year theme yet? It’s not too late to start now. Invite that coworker over for dinner. Invite your neighbor out to lunch. If you’ve already started this process, let this newsletter serve as encouragement.
Let me first encourage you not to see Share as the scary part of our ministry year theme, nor as an effort to push agendas. Don’t treat this as a cold-call knock on someone’s door; focus first on loving the person in front of you. Pray for them. Listen to them. Eat with them. Serve them. Let’s not be known for our ulterior motives, but by our love.
The sharing should come naturally. It’s not so much, “if you died tonight, do you know where you’d go…” but rather, “I went through something similar a couple years ago. My church community gathered around me and God helped get me through.” Think on how God has helped in your story, and share that.
It’s also not so much, “Let me tell you the entire story of scripture right now…” but, “that reminds me of something which St. Paul says. It’s been really helpful to me.” Share the way God has worked in your life through forgiveness and second chances, comfort in the hard times, and faithfulness always. While you do, add in those stories of Scripture which come to mind. Study Scripture, so that you’ll have the words to say when that time comes.
So go! Tell your story. Join with that woman who met Jesus and then can’t help but mention Him to those she knows, saying:
“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" —John 4:29
As we BLESS others, we share the good news of this Messiah. The God who loves us. Who came for us. Who pursues us when we stray. We share Jesus! “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
God’s Peace, Pastor Josh Reifsteck