Blog

July Pastor’s Corner

June 27, 2011

Well, I’d hoped to put up my Pastor’s Corner every month but it seems June flew by and I did not put one on the website. However, I’ve been working on some thoughts for July and I thought I’d go ahead and publish them a few days early.

Missions and Thinking Theologically! Two topics that may seem unrelated but they’re both on my mind as I prepare this months Pastor’s Corner. I’m writing this immediately after our Missions Sunday at Cypress and continue to be amazed at the generosity of our church. We raised much needed funds for the Mountain TOP ministry which will go to help minister to people living in a state of systemic poverty in Tennessee.

So, what does this have to do with thinking theologically? To put this simply, theological thinking is my way of talking about seeing God’s work in each and every action within our world. It is often easy to see God’s work when a mission worker comes to our church and has a video to show us what has been happening in their community. We may even see God working in the life of our church when we support these ministries through our gifts and offerings.

However, the difficult question we must ask ourselves is where we see God working in our own lives! Are we growing in grace? How are we sharing that grace with others? Where do we see the presence of the Living Jesus working in the world around and through us? Do we experience Jesus in our work? In our play? These are difficult questions but if we cannot answer them openly and honestly then we are not ready for mission! It takes theological thinking to live as a missionary to the world around us and, in this season of Pentecost, these words from the Acts of the Apostles apply to our own lives, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…..to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

I’m sure most of you see where I’m leading. I believe God has great plans for our churches if we are willing to listen to the Spirit and we will become stronger witnesses for Christ. Please examine your hearts and see where God is calling you. Our mission trip to Mountain TOP is quickly approaching so please contact the office if you are interested in attending or supporting however God may have called you.

There are also some great plans coming up for the fall. I’ve been praying over our Wednesday Night Ministries and will be meeting with all of our ministry team July 13th to discuss what I believe has been laid upon my heart. I am excited and hope you are as well! As your pastor, I encourage you to be in prayer over these ministries so that we might be as the early Apostles: in one accord.

In the words of Paul, “Finally, Brothers and Sisters, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11)

God’s Best Always and in All Ways,

Pastor Derek