Following Through

Several months ago the session selected some priorities for the remainder of this calendar year. It was important not to allow them to be set aside as things we need to do, but never actually put into action. Unfortunately, that is what I allowed to happen. However, mistakes made can be corrected, can’t they? You get the train back on the right track, set it in motion, and, even if you are now behind on a schedule you set for yourself, at least you are headed towards you prioritized destination.

 

The session said it was our #1 Priority for 2013 to answer the following question, or, if we could not answer it in a positive way, get about correcting our direction.

 

How are you encouraging people to allow God’s Word to shape their priorities and actions, and to nurture constant learning and the life of the mind?

 

This is first and foremost, but not exclusively, a leadership question. That means the “you” mentioned is a question laid before your church leadership – pastor and session. In other words, how are we encouraging, requiring, expecting you to allow God’s Word to be the guidebook for all the actions of your life? If we cannot come up with some programs and efforts, then we better be coming up with ideas, because a church that is not directing people to God’s Word as the source of wisdom, direction, encouragement, comfort, and satisfaction is not really anything more than a club. It is not the Church of Jesus Christ.

 

However, beyond that, you need to be asking yourself the same question. What are you doing to direct those you come in contact with on a daily basis to look first to the Scriptures as their guide for life? Just like with your leadership, if you can’t list an effort that is already being put into practice, then you need to be coming up with ideas on how to remedy the situation.

 

 

The second thing we are to be doing if this is our #1 Priority is to develop an attitude of lifelong learning. How are you growing in your knowledge of the Word of God? How do you have a better grasp of the person and work of Jesus Christ than you did a year or two ago? How can we be academic without being boring?

 

We are going to wrestle with these questions in the weeks ahead. Not just because we said we would, but because it is vital to our work, mission, growth, and life a children of God. Your ideas for us, as your leaders, are welcome.

 

Pastor Craig