Doing the Work of the Ministry

As I write this we are in the throws of another winter weather event.  It has certainly been a winter to remember!  And now, the tragic disaster in Haiti is on the forefront of our minds, the national political scene is up in the air, the economy is still stuck in neutral, and the gubernatorial race in Iowa is gaining momentum.  But for most of us, life continues on.  We have some members and attendees who are out of work, families experiencing difficult times, and more than our share of medical needs.  But all in all, the Lord has helped us weather another year of ministry at Westkirk.  In fact, from most any vantage point, it has been a banner year!  And for this we can give God all the praise and glory!

And so it begs the question, ‘what are we going to do this year?’  There are many things the Lord is doing for 2010, but I think the short answer to the question is that we are going to do the work of the ministry.  We are going to continue TO KNOW CHRIST AND MAKE HIM KNOWN.  While the changes and new initiatives are exciting, our main focus for 2010 will be doing what God has called all churches to do:  worship him, encourage one another toward greater spiritual growth, and reach out with spiritual and practical help to people in our community and beyond.  We are going to be the Church.
 

What might look a little bit different is how we do that.  At the approval of our 2010 budget, the Session will move forward on hiring a new part time pastor who will focus his ministry on senior adults.  This is a perfect fit for Westkirk and the right time to get it done.  Many of our seniors founded this church.  They have funded the ministry and enabled us to make families and the future a top priority.  Now we can serve them better with some targeted ministry that will allows us to make more calls, encourage outreach and provide opportunities for spiritual growth among senior adults.  Together, we will experience the parable of the Prodigal Son in a whole new light when we join together in Housekirks and on Sunday mornings.  The Lenten season will soon be upon us and our faith will be strengthened with a wonderful Holy Week including a presentation on Maundy Thursday on the Passover by Jews for Jesus.  Throughout the year we will make our way through the book of Galatians and be refreshed on the Gospel.  New classes are being offered on Wednesday evenings for all ages, we are praying for family and friends to know Christ, and youth and adults will be off on mission trips throughout the summer while we finish up our study of Joseph in Genesis.  Before you know it, fall will be here, Reformation Sunday and as Christmas approaches we will join an Advent Conspiracy.  Don’t be left on the sidelines as we do the work of the ministry together!

Pastor Michael
 

^ESV Ephesians 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.