I've recently started reading a book with a cohort of other pastors and ministry leaders entitled, "Lead Like a Saint" (Lessons and Values from the life of St. Patrick) by Carson Pue.
The first chapter explored the power that comes from a clear sense of mission. It caused me to reflect on my own sense of mission and what I carry as a sense of mission for the church. As I prayerfully sought to give voice to it, I wanted to share what came to mind...
"To love our community in tangible ways so that others will experience the transforming love of Jesus."
This is what's behind the programs and events that I've sought to lead our congregation into.
Pitter Patter Playgroup
Car Care Saturday
UPcycle Toy Drive
Trunk n'Treat
Grace for Grief Service
All these events are expressions of that mission.
I haven't engaged in a formal process with the Board to clarify the mission of the church, but I believe I've identified the sense of mission that guides me as your pastor. In sharing this with you my hope is that you'll get to understand me a bit better, the heart I have for our community and WHY we do the things we do.
As I shared recently, some of these events, like Trunk n'Treat, are meant to build bridges with our community. They serve to build trust with people who don't have much experience with church. They can reduce resistance to the people and programs we offer.
This approach takes a long-view of ministry. It's slower. It acknowledges that it often takes 4-5 points of contact with a person before they start to open up. Every event we engage with builds greater likelihood that people in our neighbourhood, our city, will be open to more contact with us.
It means that when you talk to your co-worker, grocer, waitress or neighbour, they may have already experienced the hospitality the Church of God has had towards the people of Wetaskiwin laying the groundwork for whatever conversation the Lord inspires you to have with them.
Please pray that God would continue to grant us favour with our neighbours and that the events and programs we have would till the soil, preparing the ground to receive the seed God wants us to plant. Then get planting!
On mission with you,
Pastor Nate