Ministry Focus
August 27, 2009
Ministry Focus
God’s Mission and Vision
for Our Savior’s
The mission statement that guides the ministry of our congregation reminds us that: Our Savior’s Lutheran church is an open community of believers
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Called by God in Christ Jesus to outreach, worship, and growth in faith
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Committed to using God’s gifts in living service to each other, our neighbors, and the world.
On Tuesday evening, September 15th, the boards, committees, and church council of Our Savior’s met together to discuss how this mission statement guides and directs the ministry we all share. Focusing on the celebrations, challenges, and opportunities that the mission statement offers, each board allowed for faithful and fruitful conversation of how we can work together to be God’s hands at work in this community and in God’s world. You will notice posted along the walls of the social hall the celebrations, challenges and opportunities each board and committee at Our Savior’s is in the process of addressing. Some common themes appeared in our discussions.
Celebrations centered around how the various ministries of our congregation engage people, young and old, in the ministries of our congregation. The challenges tended to center around issues of commitment and participation of the broader membership of Our Savior’s. Opportunities looked forward to being able to engage more people with the good news of Jesus.
As a member of the Body of Christ, called to be the church here in New Ulm, how are you being called to walk with your brothers and sisters in Christ to fulfill the vision and mission God has placed before us? Take a moment following worship to read the celebrations, challenges, and opportunities that the lay leaders of our congregation have developed. Ask yourself, how have I contributed to the celebrations? Where is God calling me to address the challenges? What opportunities for sharing the good news of Jesus might make use of my gifts?
Please consider how you can help your congregation rejoice and celebrate, address the challenges, and fulfill the opportunities that God places before us.
Discipleship Diary
August 27, 2009
Serving
Dear Discipleship Diary,
The write on wipe off board on the door of my study at Our Savior’s currently quotes Jesus as saying, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Jesus sure has a way of turning things upside down in our world. In our “me first” “my way or the highway” way of life, these words of Jesus are counter cultural. I have often wondered if the reason people fail to volunteer to be involved at church isn’t because they feel ill equipped, but rather they feel imposed upon. That is the challenge of being a disciple in this new century. People seem pulled by allegiances to other activities and enjoyments and can no longer hear Jesus call to put the needs of others first and take on the role of a servant.
In the Gospels, Jesus tells us time and time again that being a servant to others is what it is all about. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus celebrates the Samaritan who puts the need of his injured neighbor ahead of his own needs. Jesus speaks words of blessing to those who are merciful, caring, and just. He even provides a living sermon illustration for his disciples as he washes the day dust off of
their feet before he shared a final meal with them. If Jesus our teacher and Lord washes feet, shouldn’t we?
Here at our Savior’s we have so many opportunities to serve others, but it seems like it is the same people who step up to the plate. It is my hope that at the end of the worship service when we hear the Pastors proclaim, “Go in peace, serve the Lord”, that we would seek ways in our church, in the community and in the world to be servants of the Lord by serving one another.
Just imagine the incredible things we could accomplish if we took these words of Jesus to heart, “Whoever wants to be first of all must be last of all and servant of all.” That’s all for now Discipleship Diary!
Striving to Serve,
Pastor Todd
