Greetings in the name of God whose Spirit dwells within us!
Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost and remembered the pouring out of God’s Spirit. The Spirit gave birth to the church and empowered the church for ministry. Almost 20 years after the resurrection of Jesus and the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost the Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians. In that letter he reminds the church that the Spirit of God is still active and activating gifts with us to be used for the common good of the church and the world around us.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. (1 Corinthians 12)
What ministry of the church is the Spirit placing on your heart? What passion and gift is the Spirit of God stirring up and activating within you? What gifts are God inviting you to set free for service in this moment of church life?
The list of gifts in the passage above is not an exhaustive list. Along with those gifts we need gifts of administration and leadership; gifts of relationship building and ministry with our youth and children; gifts of visioning and planning; gifts of music and worship leadership; gifts of maintenance and upkeep of our property and building; gifts of prayer and encouragement; gifts of hospitality and welcome; gifts of design and tech; and more…
As we emerge from this pandemic time in the months ahead we need to offer who we are and what we can “for the common good” of the church. As we grow, adapt, and are revitalized we need each other and all our gifts to stay Rooted in Christ, Growing together in faith and Extending God’s love!
The Gift Discernment Committee may reach out to you in the weeks ahead, but don’t wait for them to call. Reach out to them and let them know what God is activating within you; let them know where you are ready to serve! Marv Yantzi, Katie Wagler, Wayne Yantzi or me would love to hear from you! To reach out and offer yourself is not self-promotion but rather response to and following the lead of the Spirit!
I invite us to all pray, and partner together, as we work to fill our ministry positions and continue to be the church in this moment of time!
Pastor Ray