It's Past Time

Walking back in from getting the mail today here at church, I saw an official envelope of the United States Postal Service. Within the window on the front of the item, I could see the back page of a copy of "The Answer." Not the whole of the pamphlet - just the remains of the back page. New Hope sent a copy of that publication to every home in Valparaiso for a year. But that was two years ago.

So I flipped it over and read the envelope's message. It said..

WE CARE

Among the rest of the verbage was this line.

"We are aware of how important your mail is to you. With that in mind, we are forwarding it to you in an expeditious fashion."

I laughed out loud. So it's undelivered, two years late, and missing 90% of what it is supposed to be - but "WE CARE".

Then I wondered about the organization that I'm responsible for. Do we over promise and under deliver too?

The mission of the US Postal Service is to deliver the mail. That's their business.

The mission of every church was given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20

"Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you." (The Message)

So our business is to build bridges to those outside the family of God and when they draw near, to help them along the Way of Christ. Then we identify them by a good old-fashioned baptism.

We measure the marking well. The only thing Baptists love more than fried chicken is baptizing new believers.

But how are we doing in training and instruction? That's much more difficult to measure, because now we're talking about life. That means we need to know where each person is on the journey with Christ and actively help them move forward.

I believe that many who fall away from their walk with Christ do so because they were left to find their way alone. That's not fair to them, not good for the church, and not pleasing to God.

So we're really seeking to turn the heat up in discipleship at New Hope to help everyone who wants to know Christ deeper, and reflect His love better - grow. It's the best kind of "advertisement" we can do - to have people with changed lives telling about the One - Jesus - who made their life brand new, and their life meaningful.

Pray for us as we go forward in this.

Grace!

David
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Visit with me at my blog:
http://davethepastor.livejournal.com/
Or visit New Hope!
http://www.newhopevalp.org/