Summer Job


Is it summer?  It has certainly felt like it.  And I’m writing this after the solstice, so of course it is really summer now.  I seem to have lost spring along the way.  We went from the dregs of winter to a hot blast of summer with no transition period.  How did that happen?  Did I sleep through spring?  Or were we just so busy with things here that we missed it?

Regardless, here we are in the depths of summer.  Hot weather, lawn maintenance, vacation plans, fourth of July fireworks, picnics in the park, faith sharing and disciple-making.  Wait, what?  Yeah, I went there.  Summer is a great time to share your faith, to be a part of the process of making disciples. 

I realize that many of you read that paragraph like a kid released from school would read information about the summer reading list they are supposed to work their way through.  Or like they would read the news that their parents signed them up for summer school.  Can’t we just relax for a while?  Can’t we just take it easy?

Of course we can.  Actually, that’s the best way to make disciples – take it easy.  Like most things that really matter, the more anxious we get about it, the less effective we are in accomplishing our goals.  Rather, sharing faith and making disciples should be a labor of love, something that spills out of the joy of our experience with Christ, and our love for our neighbor.  Without those crucial motivators, then we are engaged in an act of institutional survival or duty driven responsibility.  Neither of which are very effective these days.

Tell you what, rather than trying to explain it here, let me invite you to a disciple-making learning experience this fall.  Beginning the Tuesday after Labor Day, you’re invited to a Bible/Book study on how to make disciples.  You may have done training like this before, or may feel like you know all you need to know about the mission before you.   I still invite you to join with the church family as we learn and grow together, we could use your expertise and your testimony to help us be more effective and passionate as we share our faith.  On the other hand, you may feel like you don’t even know the why, let alone the how, of making disciples, or that the whole concept just fills you with fear and a whole bucket full of nopes.  Then you really need to join us for this experience. 

We’ll be using a book by the theologian and pastor Brian McLaren, titled “More Ready Than You Realize” and specifically the Bible study in the appendix of the book.  It will also be the theme for worship and preaching for the month of September, so you’ll get two different approaches to the mission.  I hope you’ll make it a priority to join us for this most important series this September.

In the meantime, don’t forget your church this summer.  When you’re traveling or relaxing at the lake, remember that we are here holding you in prayer and opening the doors to the community for worship and growth in many ways.  We ask you to  keep us in your prayers when you are away, but also to keep giving so that the ministry can continue.  And, as always, enjoy your summer!


Shalom,
Pastor Derek


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