There are times when journeys are smooth. Times when they get a bit bumpy. At times they just seem to have a lot in front. At others they're exciting prospects.
I'd like to share with you about a journey the Nativity Ministry Staff had a couple of months ago, that impacts on the journey we're all on at Nativity.
Staff took a day to pray and discuss the worship and preaching themes for the rest of the year. It was a journey in it's own right, revealing a much longer journey we as a church are on. The first part takes us to the middle of next year! Like a journey Libby and I did earlier in the year with our mountain bikes, there will be uncomfortable sections and glorious ones, and everything in between. So staff spent the first hour, and then had other stops too, listening to the leader of our journey - Jesus.
As we went along, it was exciting how the different skills and gifts of each member of the crew added to the trip. Chaplain, Deacon, Nurse, Counselor, Priest all had insights that got us past obstacles as we scouted out the road ahead.
The outcome is that we are following the Good Shepherd in life. All the preaching themes for the coming year are based on the 23rd Psalm. You may remember we've had themes about who God is, who we are (Shepherd and Sheep) and what that means. It gave us themes around life issues like work and rest, provision and worry. Currently we're looking at restoration in different ways. A promise of restoration gives people hope, which is an ongoing theme for the whole Christian church.
With all the changes in society and challenges ahead of us, our journey will have uncomfortable times and glorious ones too. One change will be discerning what buildings will be needed for us to accomplish our journey. Another is be how we develop ministry to the rising and future generations,
I hope and pray that you will stick with the journey. Listen to the leader (Jesus) as well as your co-travelers (the church), and enjoy the ride.
I'd like to share with you about a journey the Nativity Ministry Staff had a couple of months ago, that impacts on the journey we're all on at Nativity.
Staff took a day to pray and discuss the worship and preaching themes for the rest of the year. It was a journey in it's own right, revealing a much longer journey we as a church are on. The first part takes us to the middle of next year! Like a journey Libby and I did earlier in the year with our mountain bikes, there will be uncomfortable sections and glorious ones, and everything in between. So staff spent the first hour, and then had other stops too, listening to the leader of our journey - Jesus.
As we went along, it was exciting how the different skills and gifts of each member of the crew added to the trip. Chaplain, Deacon, Nurse, Counselor, Priest all had insights that got us past obstacles as we scouted out the road ahead.
The outcome is that we are following the Good Shepherd in life. All the preaching themes for the coming year are based on the 23rd Psalm. You may remember we've had themes about who God is, who we are (Shepherd and Sheep) and what that means. It gave us themes around life issues like work and rest, provision and worry. Currently we're looking at restoration in different ways. A promise of restoration gives people hope, which is an ongoing theme for the whole Christian church.
With all the changes in society and challenges ahead of us, our journey will have uncomfortable times and glorious ones too. One change will be discerning what buildings will be needed for us to accomplish our journey. Another is be how we develop ministry to the rising and future generations,
I hope and pray that you will stick with the journey. Listen to the leader (Jesus) as well as your co-travelers (the church), and enjoy the ride.
"‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his servants
and entrusted his property to them" (Matthew 25 v14)
and entrusted his property to them" (Matthew 25 v14)
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