St. John's Got Talent

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STEWARDSHIP SEASON IS ROLLING AROUND AGAIN and as it does I am taking a break from my articles about Vision. Have no fear, I’ll resume the Vision articles next month. And actually, this month’s article has to do with a key point of my vision for St. John’s: how lay ministry fits in to the life of the parish.

What does lay ministry have to do with stewardship? Well, stewardship isn’t all about money you know! As I’ve heard it put recently, “Stewardship is everything you do, with everything you have, after you say ‘Yes’ to Jesus Christ.” Stewardship is a way of life! And besides our treasures (our income and assets) we have those other T’s our Maker and Redeemer has blessed us with: our time and our talent.

That’s why we are having a talent show on September 10. The Parish Hall is going to be gussied up for this gala event, we’ll have dinner, and then your fellow parishioners are going to show you what they’ve got: singing, dancing, skits and comedy—the sky’s the limit. Along the way, you are also going to hear from the parish’s ministry groups, learning about the many, many ways to get involved in Christ’s service on this campus and reaching out to the wider world.

As we await the Big Night, I will be preaching a three-part sermon series on Romans 12:1–8, beginning on August 28. Interestingly enough, in this short section of Scripture, our three parish purposes are in view: altar-centered worship, mind-transforming discipleship, and grace-empowered mission. And what we see in this passage is how these three things come together in the living of a full Christian life. In fact, all three are vital for spiritual growth. We can’t just go to church, and we can’t just volunteer at the food pantry. To be a Christian, a holistic disciple of Jesus Christ, we need all to commit ourselves to all three: worship, discipleship, and mission. And in order to do this, we need to develop a plan for using the time and talent God has given us.

The sermon series concludes on Sunday, September 11. At 9:00 a.m. that day, in the Parish Hall, we will have our Christian Education preview. This year’s Gathering theme will be introduced, a program called “Walk Through the Bible” in which young and old will be encouraged to commit to memory all of the books of the Bible, in order. At the Christian Education preview, our younger Christians will have a chance to meet their Sunday School teachers, youth will learn more about this year’s EYC program, and our four Sunday Adult Education instructors will be on hand to introduce their classes for the fall.

As I continue to think and pray and write about my vision for St. John’s, I am convinced that a strong, growing lay ministry is key. God has given us gifts, and growing as grateful stewards of his grace means finding our place in worship, discipleship, and mission.

I know you’ve got talent. Come, see how Christ can use it to his glory and your joy, in the mission and ministry of this parish.

See you at the talent show,