July

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

At our synod assembly this year we were encouraged to invite people who might have the gifts for ministry to consider becoming a pastor. Projections are that (at present) we will reach a point where we will only have 50% of the people needed to fill the pastoral needs of the church. Ouch. From Trinity, however, we have seen a number of people (including our son) hearand respond to the call to serve the Church. What’s more, we have thepotential within our congregation for many more. We encourage everyone to consider whether God is calling you to serve as a leader in the Church.

It also means that we all need to consider how God is calling us to serve and care in our lives. At this time in our church life, God may be reminding us of the importance of each person to spread the Good News in their lives by all they do.

Are there people around you right now who need the loving touch of one of God’s people? Maybe they need a prayer rightnow and maybe you are the person to offer it.

Is there an older person right next door who could use a visit, or some help in their life? There was a call recently from ayoung adult who had come through Trinity’s youth program who was looking for a way to help an aging neighbor. They were offering their care and concern, In doing that, they were answering God’s call.
Are there activities or ways that God is calling you to to share God’s love in your community or beyond? Maybe you arebeing called to be a big brother or sister. Maybe God is speaking to you about those who need a home and is calling you to Family Promise, or Habitat for Humanity, or maybe to be a foster parent.

Is God calling you to take on a social issue such as racism, poverty, violence, or some other aspect of our life together? MaybeGod is calling you into the area of… politics (oh my), as a field where you can express God’s love.

Maybe as we are struggling to fill Pastoral vacancies in the larger Church, it is time to remember the importance of each of us in the work of the kingdom. In the end the truth is that all of us are called. What is your call?

We may not all be pastors, but we are all ministers of the Lord.

Fellow Ministers, Pastors Cris and Dave