Interim Associate Pastor for Outreach
It is wonderful to be part of an active church that engages the community in outreach. Throughout Scripture we are told what we have been called to do. One of the most familiar passages comes from the prophet Micah:
God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what doe the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
Much of our ministry is centered around these three things. They are an action plan. We address issues in our community around injustice related to hunger, poverty, racism and homelessness. We share the love of Christ through acts of kindness such as pastoral care when others are grieving or struggling with illness or other life challenges. Out of kindness we not only provide spiritual support but also food and other necessities for our neighbors. We walk humbly with God out into the world where a message of hope is so desperately needed, knowing we do these things in response to God’s love.
Have you ever thought about what Jesus came to do for us? One of my favorite passages is found in the Gospel of John (10: 1-13). Jesus tells us that he is the good shepherd and will watch over us as faithfully as a good shepherd watches over their flock. He reminds us that he came that we might have life and have it abundantly. (John. 10: 10) Further, scripture tells us that Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it, that he is the vine and we are the branches, that he is the bread of life, the light of the world, the resurrection and the life, and the way, the truth and the life. Jesus offers us connection, hope, spiritual food, new life and a path to follow. All of this is given to us. We are provided for and called to advocate and provide for others.
In July, we will be highlighting four of our ministries that support and advocate for those who are hungry, those who need a hand up and those who are voiceless and need someone to speak for them. We will hear from Alex Harrill and Neil’s Meals; Rev. Frank Dew and Bread for the World; Anthony Bass and StepUp Greensboro; and Camille Townsend and Hot Dish & Hope. We are blessed both as a church and as individuals to have many resources we can use to help others. These resources include education, time, cultural/political capital, and generosity. A few of our many blessings.
What will we do with these blessings? Later in the Gospel of John, Jesus reminds us to love others the way he loves us. We are to reach out in his name with the hope of making a difference in someone else’s life. What a privilege we have been given! When we do what we have been called to do we will experience the abundant life. We will love others the way Jesus loves us.
