What is the future of the church? For years we've heard and read about declining numbers of people going to church, people not interested, younger people aren't going, etc. But seriously?
Yesterday we heard in Pastor Shelly's sermon about something that was in the news a couple months ago. Four young men (baggie pants, sideways baseball cap, dreadlocks) went into a store, thinking it was open (someone had left the door unlocked and the lights were on). After getting what they wanted they couldn't find any cashier, so they left enough money on the counter for the items they got. They then went next door and told the people in that store that something didn't seem right, since no one was in the store they were just in. What initially looked like a break-in were 4 young college age football players who simply did the right thing...and above and beyond! As Pastor Shelly went on to say, due to the amazing response that story received, with those young men being guests on news shows and all, "It makes you think...Boy is our world hungry for people to do just a little bit more than what they ought, to go the extra mile sometimes, to upend our expectations of each other."
Why would anyone do that...go above and beyond....do more than just what we ought? Well, maybe for starters, because there is One who did more...went above and beyond...for us! And I'm sure that at least one, if not all of those 4 young football players who went in that store that night had some roots in the church! That's the ongoing story that the church tells and lives out, about a God who came among us to make us into a people who would do what was expected and more...above and beyond! That's a church that has a future. For that's a church that isn't interested in simply holding on to old prejudices or re-creating some kind of "glory days" of the 1950s. The church of the future is a church that has a message that the world is hungry to hear, a message that is as old as antiquity, yet as new as this morning's sunrise; a church that passes along the faith of our fathers and mothers in the language of our children; a church that every day gathers around the table that the Master has set and is fed and strengthened to meet each new day and each new challenge with hope and courage. That's a church I'm grateful to be a part of.
To hear some interesting and inspiring conversation about "The Future of the Church", tonight from 6:30-7:30 CDT (7:30-8:30 our time) you can click here and see live streaming, a conversation with Brian McLaren and Phyllis Tickle, two amazing leaders in the emerging church movement (and Phyllis is no kid...she's either pushing or pulling 80 years old!) A number of us will be watching and look forward to some ongoing conversation with you down the road about this.
Now a couple things about both the present and future church! Wednesday evening this week will be the final of our 3 meeting series for people interested in learning more about and/or becoming members of Our Savior. We meet at 7pm in the Quiet Room off of the narthex. But prior to that all are invited to our Wednesday evening supper which begins at 6pm (this week's menu includes Salisbury Steak and Mashed Potatoes! Yumm!) These are great opportunities to get to know each other, and have a great meal besides!
And finally, relating to both the present and the future of the church, "Why do you give $ to the church?" This year we are asking you to share in a sentence or two, the answer to that question. In November, we will be sending out a letter with your answers! We won't put any names with the answers, but are sincerely interested in what you have to share. So, please just reply to this email to give us your thoughts. Won't it be interesting to hear what each other has to say about this?
Now, have a good week............and maybe even surprise someone by going above and beyond. After all, we have a God who went above and beyond for us!
See you in church. Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com
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