What are we about?
Over the past weeks and months, I’ve heard this question asked and re-asked in our congregation. But not only in the congregation at FPC. As I read posts, blogs and books by those trying to search out what it means to be a follower of Christ, it seems that this question is becoming a theme across the board. Where we once found meaning, purpose and direction, we often find ourselves with only more questions. Have we lost sight of the goal? What is it, after all is said and done, that we are trying to be? What (or more correctly, Who) are we striving to be like?
After our ordinary service today, I experienced a quite extraordinary congregational meeting. Normal things were discussed… finances, numbers, programs, etc. But when it was all said and done, I was left hopeful by the tone of the meeting. Our church seems to be heading toward really facing, maybe for the first time, the most important question — What is it that we are going to commit to?
What are we as a church really going to support? And I’m not just talking about money, though monetary support of ministry is necessary for success and growth. Look beyond money. How can we get behind our church, and see it taken to new heights? For what can we pray? How can we each plug in to the mission? You see, that’s what we’re each called to do. We’re called to do. Do church. Be Jesus to the world. That is what honors and glorifies God.
When our pastor closed the meeting today, I heard five minutes of passionate, missional, directional talk that have for too long been absent from our midst. I saw in our body a glimpse of Jesus. I could see a body of followers with a hope and a future.
I can’t speak for the direction of the (capital C) Church as a whole. Not even for the direction of our entire (little c) church. I can only dream for those things God has called me to lead and move within. But in those things, I see God’s fingerprints.
In the coming weeks (not even months or years!) we will be announcing the opening of our tutoring center. God has blessed us with this vision to reach out to kids in our community, to help them succeed and to and invite their families into our facility and into our fellowship. This same program will give us our first regular interaction with students at Pikeville College, students who will be working with those kids as tutors and mentors.
Stemming from this ministry, and related to our church’s heart for Pikeville College, this week will see discussion begin about a revolutionary college ministry unlike ever attempted on Pikeville’s campus. We have been given resources and vision to take the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to students, faculty and staff who are searching for the God who meets them where they are, and invites them into real life-altering conversation.
By the beginning of March, thanks entirely to the generosity of our congregation, our team of youth leaders will be able to experience the work of ministry on the next level. It’s my dream to see the Simply Youth Ministry (http://conference NULL.youthministry NULL.com/) conference as a launch pad for a group of people who have the heart to see our kids’ lives changed for the better. We are going to grow. We are going to succeed. And it’s going to be because our church said ‘yes’ to advancing God’s plan in our body.
It might not come across in words (hopefully it does), but I’m excited! We’re not to be credited with what’s going to happen here. None of us. But we are called to point out the One who is. That’s what I hope to do here. God has been, and will continue to be, the source of our success. So, as we move forward as a body, searching for what it is that God would have us do, I ask for your support in whatever capacity God calls you to support. As a first step, I ask for each of your prayers.
God is gonna do some amazing stuff. Stay tuned…
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