..Perhaps the task of the church in the world is not to try to put into place programs that structure the work of God, that try to "grow" the church. Perhaps neither is it to only pray and cry out to God to do some great new work in the world, to bring a revival to enliven his people. perhaps the greatest task of the church is to find out where God is already working in the world, and then participate in that work as God gives directions. Perhaps we have too often missed the new work of God in he world because we were waiting for something to happen in our own corner of the world on our terms, when God was already doing great things in other parts of Galewood, the suburbs, and Chicago.
Here is some Good News. Right now in our church Carmen Rodriguez and her small but mighty brand of youth are following these teachings of Peter and exploring how and where God is already working in the world. They are preparing to participate in wider youth ministry as God gives them direction. One way Carmen is doing this is that she is talking with other local churches, both UCC churches and other denominations, and exploring with them how we can team up and work together to forma combined youth ministry. She is finding out where God is already working in other churches. She has realized that we at Galewood don't have to be alone in our efforts to minister to youth. With God's help working in and through Carmen, we are in the process of growing a new youth ministry here at Galewood Community Church.
Additionally, we have a second new ministry blossoming in the form of a community garden that is being planned by Barb, Charlotte, and Carmen. Our garden will include an invitation to everyone in the neighborhood to openly pick and enjoy what we grow. And soon we will announce how God is growing a third new ministry here at Galewood Church in and through our Director of Music Ministries, Loretha Mosley.
It is with God's help that we are in the process of growing new ministries. I want to leave you with four questions to ponder:
1. Are there activities and traditional ways of behaving here at Galewood that are sapping your energy and serving as roadblocks to growing
new ministries?
2. What are we doing that tends to drain you and lead you to negative thinking and feeling?
3. Where do you see God already working in the Galewood Community and in Chicago?
4. How can we at this church unite our time and energy with others who are already doing this work of God?
At Galewood Church we don't need to start a new ministry from the ground up in order to revitalize and grow our church. For instance, we don't have to
found and build a social service agency in order to save the church. What we do need to do is to find what energizes us and, like Carmen, our youth,
Barb, Charlotte, and Lo we need to explore where around us God is already at work doing what energizes us so that we can join in. I'm helping her to connect
with people, opening doors for her, and offering suggestions. I'm more than happy to help any of you with exploring and implementing your own passion with
and through our church.
I ask you to keep your eyes open for ministries other churches or agencies are doing in which you would like to participate. I particularly ask you to ask
yourselves what it is that energizes you. Is it youth? Children? Helping the homeless? Feeding the hungry? Working with the addicted? The mentally challenged?
the elderly? Maybe the arts energize you? Or studying the Bible or gardening or eating or socializing. Wherever your energy is, so is God. Your energy
and passion is God working in you and through you. I, your pastor, am here as your sounding board and helpmate in helping you grow your passion here at
Galewood. I ask all of you where is your energy, excitement, and passion leading you and leading us? Wherever your energy is leading you, it is God
ministering to the world through you and helping us all grow Galewood Community Church.
This has been an exciting, eye-opening six months.
With love and peace,
Pastor Beth
