From the Pastor's Desk - January
It’s clear that at the foundation of every effective ministry lies a simple question that shapes congregational behavior and identity: “What is God up to and how can we be helpful?” Every time we ask this simple question at St. Paul’s something really good happens. What is God up to with our local school district? What do they have and what do we have that, should the two of us come together, would result in an exciting expression of God at work in our midst? The result is “Overtime”, a program designed to provide a safe environment for our community’s school students to gather after athletic events to share some food, listen to live and DJ’d music and have time to talk to each other under the guidance of volunteers from St. Paul’s and other committed adults from our community.
Is it possible to know what God is up to in our midst? Is there a proof positive way of knowing it is really God? I would answer ‘yes’ to both questions. When we see God at work, we will see the fruits of the Spirit present (Galatians 5:22) and we will always find God doing something spectacular. St. Paul’s is a pretty spectacular place and God is absolutely up to amazing things through some very amazing people.
It’s important for us to remember that the Bible teaches that we live fully in God’s presence and that in our relationships with one another Jesus is present. To this point, a friend of mine, Rev. Dr. Dave Daubert, has shared a story with me many times that has had great impact on his life. I too find this story helpful and I hope it will be a blessing to you as you hear and ‘picture’ this event. “Shortly before his death, Martin Luther commissioned a painting for the altar at St. Mary’s Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The entire altar is a fascinating lesson in Luther’s hopes for the church – a church where pastors and laity would fully share in leadership in ways that would make many religious leaders cringe today. The painting shows Luther preaching to the townspeople. In the midst of the gathered crowd appears the crucified Christ. For Luther, the task of preaching was not to tell people about Jesus. It was to ‘show’ them Jesus.”
As your pastor, I want us to help each other see God. Remember, Jesus is not the God who was. Jesus is the Christ who is risen and the God who is able to be seen NOW!
As we begin this New Year, may we do so together. We are a blessed congregation for lots of reasons, perhaps none more important or significant than the fact that our members expect to experience God. That foundational expectation opens the door to God who stands at the door of our hearts knocking. Our members expect to hear the Creator’s voice inviting and guiding us to join in blessed work and play. Our members expect to encounter and be blessed by Jesus and they expect the power of God through the Holy Spirit to flow through their lives and through our congregation in many spectacular ways.
Be Blessed!
