Don’t Quench the Spirit
Speaking about what we have seen and heard
On Sunday, we considered how the Holy Spirit inspires us for mission. God will give us moments where we have opportunities to talk about what we have seen and heard. In those moments, we may be afraid, we may feel awkward, we may feel anxious, but God promises that the Holy Spirit will teach us in those very moments what we ought to say. (Luke 12:12)
I very deliberately never used the word evangelism on Sunday. ‘Evangelism’ brings the baggage of programs, tracts, and canned responses. Instead, I really do want us to be a church that speaks about what we have seen and heard. The things we see God doing in outreach, in our small groups, in our friendships, among our children. The prayers we see God answer or the patience we get when He seems to be slow in responding. The healing we have experienced or deliverance from evil. The things we NEED to say are the things we have lived and experienced. God is calling us to notice His activity in us and around us and to talk about it. That is my prayer for us.
Things that make me not speak…
Just wanted to remind you of the 4 things that keep me from telling what I have seen and heard:
1. I don’t know enough and don’t have answers that are good enough for the real, hard questions that are out there.
2. I don’t want to offend anyone or risk the relationship.
3. My personal doubts.
4. My lack of love for the person to whom I’m talking…
These are the things I pray about almost everyday. What are some fears you’d like to turn away from?
Vestry Results
Many thanks to all you ‘green-bookers’ who selected Sarah Blaine as our new vestry member. I am grateful to everyone who offered themselves to serve in this position. We have so many great leaders. Our next full vestry election (choosing 3 new members) will be in November.
I loved spending 13 weeks with y’all wrestling with the Holy Spirit. Thanks for working hard, worshiping with abandon, praying with boldness, and rejoicing in all things. What a privilege it is to be your pastor.