It was a pleasure to baptize Braxton Barnes this morning. As I read the part of the liturgy relating to God doing great things through water I was reminded of a reading from earlier in the week. The author theorized that we, as Christians, should be 'water' in how we do ministry. We should flow into the low places filling them with God's good things. We should erode the institutions and prejudices that keep us from God. We should be life-giving to those needing the living water of Christ as they should see Christ in us. We should be cleansing wherever we are. We should be God's agent to do all of these things in the name of the one we follow, Jesus. Sunday we will study the book of James. James is pretty harsh as he corrects and confronts the Church. He reminds us of the image of water when he says that "fresh water cannot flow from an unclean well."
When I read this passage I think of a conversation in the narthex of a church building in which one member said to another she wouldn't forgive, forget and that she would continue to bring up an old hurt again and again. The unforgiving member was a person that had said they desired to be part of the leadership of that congregation.
I thought how carefully our Lay Leader Development team has worked to develop a slate of leaders who truly reflect the fruit of the Spirit. I thought how easy it would be for 'unclean water' to make its way into the fabric of any church. And I prayed for the meetings of this week ... where we will encourage the staff, listen to stories of the good work of current leadership teams, approve a slate of officers, hear encouragement from our District Superintendent and look forward to a new year. My prayer is that God takes us to His good place and gives us leadership that is kind, gentle, joyful, peaceful, loving and patient. I pray that every leader is a lover of God and people. And I pray that all of our leaders are conduits of the fresh water of Jesus. I hope you will pray too! Pastor Randy
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