Hello,

      For this month’s article, I would like to acknowledge Christian speaker Rebekah Simon-Peter. Not only does she have a cool sounding Biblical last name, she also has provided some insight into how to be the church in the 6 weeks leading up to the 7 weeks of Easter. Rebekah recently wrote:

There’s a lot of institutional despair these days. “The church is dying, it’s in decline, it’s done for, it’s over. The best days are behind us.” But what if all that’s just a story? And not a very good one at that? The church is only done-for if we say it is.

Here’s what I say: This Lent, don’t give up being the church. The truth is, there’s nothing to worry about. Worry doesn’t solve problems anyway. Trust, faith and positive action do.

I would like to encourage us this season to consider Rebekah’s advice to you view life through the lens of the power of Jesus’ resurrection. She would call us to make a list this Lenten season of what our church does in our community and be proud of that. Yes, we should do more but we should embrace caring for our community. We should count the number of prayers we have prayed and be encouraged by that knowing we are not alone in our prayers. Yes, we should pray more but do not be discouraged in your effort. We should make a list of all the things your church is doing to help children/teens have a faith-based influence in their lives. Yes, we should strive to do more to reach the next generation but be thankful for the opportunities we have.

Truly, it can be discouraging to see that our culture is not always in sync with our worldview but that does not mean we give up on being the church. That might mean to be more diligent as the church.

 I will be attending the Exponential conference this month. One of the key principles this organization is based upon is the fact that the “called out ones (the church)” is still God’s best plan for reaching God’s people. You are part of an organization that even today is the best plan for sharing God’s love. Sure, we could do a much better job of fulfilling God’s will as a church. Sure, I could do a much better job of equipping each of you to be the church. Sure, I could do a much better job of being a servant model example of leadership. Yet, the early Christians somehow pressed on to leave us the historical tradition of the resurrection. Just as the early followers of Jesus tried to figure out how to be the church, we must continue to do so. This Lenten season do not give up on being the church because you are part of God’s best way to share God’s love for all.

Thanks,

Jon Self

@pastorjonself