“Either you manage change or change will manage you.” That is how I opened my January 2010 Epistle article. Change is scary and confusing. It twists our comfortable space and it makes us think that what we know and what we love will never be the same. Here is the Good News. Jesus Christ!
We claim, serve and speak aloud the name of a living Lord who empowers us through the Spirit to be bold disciples. There are two ways to encourage growth in the number of people who hear the Good News. Tell others about your faith and invite others to your church. I’m not going to remind you how hard those things can be. We know they are difficult, especially in the 21st Century. Nor can we excuse ourselves from doing those things anymore.
For the past six years our bishop, Rev. Bob Hoshibata has asked us to be bold disciples and to go and boldly make disciples of those who have yet to hear the Gospel. Bishop Hoshibata has recently announced a change to the way the appointive cabinet will function (See the related article).
As you can see from reading this article, our Bishop sees the need for change in the way our Conference is working, and emphasizes how we will go about boldly making disciples. Starting July 1 we will have a new “Bishop’s Assistant.” He will be the Reverend Lowell Greathouse who will come from his appointment as associate pastor at First UMC Portland. I hope we will find a way to welcome him as soon as possible as well as a way to say a grateful “thanks and blessings” to the Reverend Bonnie Parr Philipson for her service. She has been such a great blessing, comfort, guide and leader for this church.
I am particularly interested in one of the paragraphs in the Bishop’s article about the changes he is making in the Conference leadership:
A team of excellent leaders will assist the Bishop, coaching pastors and church leaders toward health and vitality, equipping them for relevant ministry with, and to, their communities in new ways. These Assistants to the Bishop will hold pastors and churches accountable to living into the vision of healthy, vital congregations. (my emphasis added)
I look forward to seeing what “coaching” means and look forward to the opportunity! I am anxious to be “equipped” for relevant ministry that occurs in new ways. I hope all of you are excited for these opportunities as well and will eagerly join me when these opportunities are presented. I have no problem being held accountable for living into this vision. But I also will hold those who offer me opportunities accountable as well. If I am told I am going to be offered coaching, well here I am… coach me! I have much to learn about relevant ministry, especially to young adults - but to all, young and old who need to hear Christ’s inclusive word of hope and grace. Equip me. I am ready! Offer me opportunities! I wish to boldly make disciples!
Good News! Jesus Christ has come! He has been born to be the savior of the nations and we are his active disciples. We are the ones called to bring the Gospel to new disciples. How will you do that? Will you invite a friend to attend the new Bible study? (See article in this newsletter) Will you invite a friend to J.A.M., Crafters, Choir or any of our other small groups? Will you sign up to attend the Small Group Ministries training at Montavilla UMC on February 5-6? Churches that are growing the Gospel have many active small groups!
How will you be a disciple today? Disciples never wait for change to manage them. We make change happen and celebrate all it brings – new opportunities, new challenges, new disciples!
On the Path Together,
Pastor Kathy
