Hello folks,

I hope your week is going well. It’s an exciting day for us up here in the office. Wednesday comes back into full swing this evening. Activities will be going on for preschool, children, youth and adults. There’s a lot of good ministry that takes place on Wednesday nights. It’s easy to think of the ministry of the church in terms of Sunday only. That’s really not true.

Neither is it true to think that church is only on Sunday and Wednesday. I’m not saying what you might think. I could point to the fact that we have “on campus” ministry Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Tuesday morning, Tuesday evening, Wednesday night and (often times) Thursday  night. But, that’s not what I mean either.

The ministry of the church takes place all throughout the week because the ministry of the church takes place through you. You are the church and you are the ministering arms of Jesus Christ all throughout the week. Ministry isn’t just what you do AT the church. Ministry is what you do AS the Church.

As believers, we are part of that collective grouping of people called “the Church.” In the words of Peter, the disciple of Jesus, we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.” As a Christian you’ve been given a spiritual gift. You’ve been given a platform, influence, and the ability to bless the people around you.

When speaking with new members of our church I talk a lot about how we view discipleship, the Christian life, and the expectations of church membership. Part of our New Member Orientation Lunch includes a discussion on our four practices. The last of the four is to “bless people.” (click here if you want to know more about the four practices)

I want to remind you of the opportunities you have this week to be a blessing to other people. Choose to speak life instead of death, build up instead of destroy, encourage instead of criticize, give instead of take. Bless other people. It’s part of our calling as Christian people.

The new school Brittish evangelist Gypsy Smith used to say that we are the “fifth gospel.” Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the four written biographies of Jesus. You and I are a living version. Unfortunately, you and I are the only gospel of Jesus some people will ever see. So let’s make it count.

I’d love for you to come join in on the ministry that’s taking place up here on Wednesday nights. But far more than that, I want you to embrace the ministry that you have everyday of the week. I’m not a minister because I get paid by a church. I’m a minister because the Holy Spirit has empowered me for ministry. He’s empowered you to do the same. Are you doing it?

If you’d like some help discovering how you can live out the ministry God has given you, let me offer you a suggestion. Last year we trained about 20 personal discipleship coaches. These are some of the best folks on the planet in my opinion. Part of their ministry is to help you understand and successfully take your next step as a disciple of Jesus. If you’d like to partner with one to figure out what your next step is then let me know by replying to this email. It could be the best decision you make all year!

As always, if there is any way I can pray for you please let me know by replying to this message.

Blessings,

Pastor Wes