This week recognizes one of the 20th century’s greatest leaders, one who could inspire hearts to change and feet to action. Monday commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and celebrations and memorials will happen across the country. Yet for so many, Monday is only another day off school, when banks and government offices are closed. We can only pray the message of Dr. King and others who work for peace and equality will not be easily forgotten or ignored.
Our world, this fabulous rock God gave us to tend, carries a myriad of talented people. We have the capacity to confront most of our world dilemmas, if only we have the will. Peace, equality, food and shelter for all are within our grasp, but it is going to take love, effort and tremendous hard work. It’s time for the followers of Jesus to take the lead.
I recently made a comment at our congregation’s annual meeting that for the church to be relevant to the world we must remain focused on the main thing, and keep our work and witness centered on the issues that change the world. The average person sipping coffee shop latte’s could care less about our theological quarrels, one church claiming its right-ness while telling us who’s wrong, or the endless stream of Christians who give us the low-down who’s saved and which poor suckers will be damned to hell. Not that I’m not concerned about such things, we simply can’t be consumed by these matters. Not when wars rage out of control, hunger is ashamedly rampant, preventable disease is high and equality remains far off.
Still, there is much hope. Jesus spoke regularly about the kingdom of God on earth. We who have faith in this One, who trust in his promises above all else, who hold these words of life can lead the way. All we need is the will.
Let’s start changing the world with Olivet’s talented and gifted members – all of us!
Thanks, Jane. I couldn’t agree more. Look for a greater emphasis on this, especially next Sunday, January 27th, as we’ll all complete a Spiritual Gifts Inventory in worship. It’s a time to discover, claim and offer our gifts for Jesus’ mission in this world. It should be exciting!
I’m curious. What is the plan after the congregation completes the inventory? How are their gifts going to be recognized and used within and outside of the church building?
Excellent question! One that our team has deeply considered, since it is often the case that “time and talent” sheets so many of us have filled out find their way to a file and are promptly forgotten. Here are a few of the plans (and certainly not the final list): 1) The Learning and Sharing hour on Sunday, Feb.3rd will bring an opportunity to re-cap the results from the 27th, as well as discuss particular gifts. 2) Our Lenten theme this year is “Spiritual Gifts: Because We Are Blessed.” Preaching, Bible Studies and the Devotion Book all focus on this theme. 3) “Affinity Groups”, bringing together people with like-gifts to dream, brain-storm and move to action. 4) Offer further training to those interested to go deeper with Spiritual Gifts, probably in mid-March or April.
This isn’t a complete plan, but it should be a good start!
That sounds great, especially the Affinity Groups and further training later on in the journey.
Does Olivet have a database of its members where their gifts are listed?
Is it possible that at a later stage, people with differnt gifts could get together and brain-storm? Putting people with different gifts in the same room to dream could bring some unexpected results, as no gift can survive by itself. We always need help from others. Combine the gifts and something even greater could happen.
Great stuff. Our database has capacity for gifts but is not currently utilized–this will help.
Concerning brain-storming, we’re going to try to do as much as we can. God is up to something good!