A bib and an apron may
be made out of the same material, but there is a world of difference between
the two. As we finish this three week series of articles about the three
priorities identified by our leaders, I want to talk with you about putting on
an apron and finding your place to serve.
More than fifty leaders of First UMC gathered together for a recent Leadership & Vision Retreat. At that time they identified three priorities for this chapter in our life as a congregation.
The first is developing an extraordinary, gracious culture of welcome that connects people to the fellowship. (Think Velcro!)
The second is becoming a congregation that helps people grow through all sorts of life changing experiences with God. Spiritual formation & Christian education for all ages and stages will be a hallmark of our life together. (Think plant!)
The third priority is equipping people to serve. We are talking about being a congregation where everyone is helped to find a place to serve that meets human need, glorifies God, and maximizes their areas of strength.
Everyone who is a part of First/ The Open Door would be helped to:
+Identify their spiritual gifts, talents, and passions.
+Develop an understanding of the serving teams inside the church and out where they might serve in a way that would bring joy to them and glorify God.
+Step into a serving team or leadership role that is appropriate and has the potential to grow them as a person and disciple. Every committee and serving team would develop a culture of invitation where they are reaching out to invite new servants in.
One of the unique elements in John’s description (Jn 13) of the Last Supper is his telling of the washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus. The other gospels omit this extraordinary moment. John tells us Jesus, after the meal, took off his outer clothing, put a servant’s towel around his waist and began to wash the feet of his friends.
In a community of the bib, people tend to sit around and wait for a core of dedicated laity and the paid staff to do the work. The general environment is one of selfishness. People go around saying “take care of me” or outlining what they think should be done. The tradition is that people think up ideas for a small core of volunteers and paid staff to do.
In a community of the apron people are engaged. The work of God in the world is everyone’s business. Almost everyone is engaged in a serving ministry. The focus isn’t on being taken care of, but looking for ways to bless and serve others.
You can see this sort of thing in our food ministry on Wednesdays, the sheltering ministry, youth volunteers, fantastic receptionists who show up every day to welcome visitors to our office, dedicated and passionate musicians who show up and sing week after week.
Building ministry teams involving as many people as we can in the work God is giving us in Bloomington and around the world will become essential work for us.
Think apron. Jesus says, in John 13, that if you know all about serving, then “you will be blessed if you do them.”
More than fifty leaders of First UMC gathered together for a recent Leadership & Vision Retreat. At that time they identified three priorities for this chapter in our life as a congregation.
The first is developing an extraordinary, gracious culture of welcome that connects people to the fellowship. (Think Velcro!)
The second is becoming a congregation that helps people grow through all sorts of life changing experiences with God. Spiritual formation & Christian education for all ages and stages will be a hallmark of our life together. (Think plant!)
The third priority is equipping people to serve. We are talking about being a congregation where everyone is helped to find a place to serve that meets human need, glorifies God, and maximizes their areas of strength.
Everyone who is a part of First/ The Open Door would be helped to:
+Identify their spiritual gifts, talents, and passions.
+Develop an understanding of the serving teams inside the church and out where they might serve in a way that would bring joy to them and glorify God.
+Step into a serving team or leadership role that is appropriate and has the potential to grow them as a person and disciple. Every committee and serving team would develop a culture of invitation where they are reaching out to invite new servants in.
One of the unique elements in John’s description (Jn 13) of the Last Supper is his telling of the washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus. The other gospels omit this extraordinary moment. John tells us Jesus, after the meal, took off his outer clothing, put a servant’s towel around his waist and began to wash the feet of his friends.
In a community of the bib, people tend to sit around and wait for a core of dedicated laity and the paid staff to do the work. The general environment is one of selfishness. People go around saying “take care of me” or outlining what they think should be done. The tradition is that people think up ideas for a small core of volunteers and paid staff to do.
In a community of the apron people are engaged. The work of God in the world is everyone’s business. Almost everyone is engaged in a serving ministry. The focus isn’t on being taken care of, but looking for ways to bless and serve others.
You can see this sort of thing in our food ministry on Wednesdays, the sheltering ministry, youth volunteers, fantastic receptionists who show up every day to welcome visitors to our office, dedicated and passionate musicians who show up and sing week after week.
Building ministry teams involving as many people as we can in the work God is giving us in Bloomington and around the world will become essential work for us.
Think apron. Jesus says, in John 13, that if you know all about serving, then “you will be blessed if you do them.”
Welcome to the adventure!
In Christ and for Christ,
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