Dear St. Lukers,
On Tuesday nights, our campus is busy with Kingdom activity. This week, in addition to cheerleading and basketball practice in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium, we held auditions for “Peter and the Star Catcher,” and welcomed new guests to campus who learned more about our thriving theater ministry. Those gathering for meetings and trainings also streamed through the doors to Building C, some taking a moment to eat at one of the tables downstairs. Church staff members bustled about, getting ready for the work they do with our lay leaders in the evenings as well. Church Council met that night too and your Vision Chairperson, Jim Atchison and I, shared the first draft of our 2020+ Vision. The Vision Team has been working on this draft since late October of last year, sifting through all of your answers and the data collected in our sermon series, as well as the demographic study we received from Church Futurist, Tom Bandy last September. We will present this draft of our Vision at St. Luke’s Ministry Leaders Retreat this weekend for feedback and creative brainstorming, before making it available to the entire congregation. (If you are a leader in one of our ministry areas and are not signed up for the retreat click here to register. Late registrations may need to make other arrangements for childcare and meals.)
What’s so beautiful about what happens all around campus on Tuesday nights, and every night, is the work of people making an impact. Teachers, coaches, leaders, facilitators using their gifts to influence and help others grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. One of our Scripture verses for this Sunday, describes the relationship between Elijah and Elisha, and an exchange between impactor and impactee. “Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.’ Elisha said, ‘Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” When we gather in groups, or give our time to teach or coach, when we share our gifts to help train and grow others, we are sharing our spirit. We are sharing what God has shared with us: wisdom, gifts, passions, talents, experience, so another might grow, be transformed, learn, and experience the God we love. This is the power of influence and I don’t believe we always grasp the impact of our influence. Not only do we have an impact on those in our immediate circle, but they in turn, impact another – the ripple of grace continues.
The busyness of our campus is not just activity for activity sake. It’s Kingdom influence of love, grace, and transformation. Every night I drive by our campus and see the parking lot full, I am grateful for the IMPACT happening in the name of Jesus Christ. I say a quick prayer of gratitude for the work God is doing, and for each of your cars…because it’s transformation happening one impact at a time.
Can’t wait to see you on Sunday! As we study the relationship of Elijah and Elisha, consider someone who has influenced your life. What impact have they had in who you are today? How did they show God to you? Offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the difference they made in your life and bring that name with you on Sunday. We have something special for you to share with them.
Until then, Grace, Peace, and may you influence another!
Jenn.
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