A Letter from Pastor Mark-April



Dear Friends,
I have been delighted at the percentage of the congregation that is involved in some kind of spiritual growth group.  Doug Shinkle has done a great job in organizing these groups that we call Journey Groups.  This is an appropriate name for the groups because we are all on a journey of spiritual growth.
I hope that many of you will consider being part of a Journey Group during the next semester of offerings.  These will begin in June and last anywhere from six to ten weeks.  Doug will be advertising the groups he will be offering soon.
One of the great benefits of being a part of a group is being with other people.  Knowledge is a great thing; but when we are in a group, we can share with others what God is doing in our lives and we can hear what God is doing in other people’s lives.  One of the things that we should do every time we get together in groups is to ask the question, “How is it with your soul?”  As we ponder this question with our Christian brothers and sisters, we begin to see how God is working in our lives and in other people’s lives.
This process will also help us to become comfortable with sharing our faith story.  Then when we are in environments outside of our small group and people talk to us and are open to a spiritual conversation, we will be able in a natural way to share our experiences with God and how our faith has made a difference in our lives.
Small group participation can do so much for us.  It helps us grow in the knowledge and understanding of our Christian faith.  It enables us to develop spiritual friends with whom we can connect on a soul level. 


Being a part of a group also helps us participate in the grow component of our discipleship pathway.  Remember, if we are going to become fully functioning disciples, then we need to connect to God through Jesus Christ, grow in our faith, serve others in the name of Christ and give of who we are and of what we have.  As we do these four things over and over again, then we grow in the discipleship to which Christ is calling us.  Journey groups help us be a part of the grow part of our discipleship pathway.

So, I encourage each of you to consider being a part of a journey group this spring and summer.  I believe that it will result in spiritual growth in your life in many different ways.

In Christ’s Abundant Love,
Pastor Mark


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