There’s Never Been a More Important Time Than Now for…
…BALANCE at St. Luke.
What do I mean by “balance?”
I believe that Jesus didn’t stutter when he sent his followers to go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing, and teaching them to obey everything he taught them. This is why we have a core value about misplaced people at St. Luke: “Lost people matter to God, and so they matter to us.” “Lost” doesn’t mean anything negative…it simply means “misplaced.” People outside of faith aren’t where they’re supposed to be–in a relationship with God.
Yet, when a congregation is serious about a Core Value like this, often the impression is the only people a church like St. Luke cares about are those not here. Here’s where the “balance” comes in. I believe that St. Luke is at a critical time in her history–we need to also care and love those God has brought together in the congregation of St. Luke. How could God continue to bless us with more people if we don’t serve and love those who already call St. Luke their church home?
I believe Jesus said something about this–notice in Luke 15 that with the 1 lost sheep, there were still 99 the shepherd was taking care of. Notice while the woman searched for her lost coin, she still was caring for 9 others. Notice while the father ran to greet his lost son, he still had a son at home he was caring for.
St. Luke, we need a balance. A balance of loving and caring for each other, while we continue to welcome new people into what God is doing in us, and through us. We just welcomed 55 new members since our February new members group! With 750 worshippers and growing, how do all feel loved and cared for?
I have a hint for you. The answer is two words, but it’s not “two pastors.” The answer is “small groups.” While the pastors of St. Luke are called to shepherd and care for everyone at St. Luke, it’s when we are in an authentic small groups that we have a “small church,” and the members care for each other in deeper and richer ways than a pastor ever could! It’s when we have these authentic communities that real friendships are grown. It’s when we have these small groups of caring people, that God’s Holy Spirit does His best work.
Small Groups are our adult Small Groups grounded in the Word and prayer; but also our confirmation groups; church school groups; preschool groups; choirs & bands; ministry teams; etc. - God brings us together to love and care for one another in profound and wonderful ways that two pastors simply couldn’t do alone.
St. Luke, it’s time for balance: caring for one another; but never losing sight of our mission to seek the lost. This way, we will be faithful to one another and to those outside our body of faith.
Get ready this fall for a program year focusing on real relationships and real caring. How does a big church do small church? Come and see…