It’s like that also in life and faith.  All of us who follow Jesus must continually work to strengthen ourselves for the ministry that awaits us.  None of us wants to be the weak player who allows the adversary to score points against us.  We could not only lose the match today, but a poor performance would threaten our ability to attract future players to our team. 

Toward that end I want to invite all our pastors and elders to an education event.  Corey Schlosser Hall has invited us to attend the workshop they are sponsoring this fall.  Dr. Reggie McNeal is teaching a workshop at North Creek Presbyterian Church in Mill Creek on Saturday September 22 from nine to three.  Reggie has an effective way of clarifying for us some of the failures of our mainline denominations as well what steps we may take to move our congregations toward renewal.  I’m coming back from out of town that day to attend.

In addition to the value of the workshop itself, a second advantage is the very positive network experience we will have engaging in conversations with other church leaders during the day and afterward.  You may wish to read his book “The Present Future“ in advance of the workshop if you are able.  I’d like to see every congregation and fellowship group of our presbytery represented at this event.  It will be one of the easiest ways we can imagine to gain a wealth of information and strengthen our ties with other leaders.  The cost is $25 and includes lunch.  You may register by visiting www.npspresbytery.org/presentfuture, I hope to see you there.

As an introduction to this general topic I invite you to read a short (only two pages) article entitled: “The Story of the Missional Church” written by Steve Hayner and published in the Aug 20 issue of Presbyterian Outlook.   Steve is a gifted writer as well as a solid theologian who I’ve known for thirty years.  (How could we be that old?)  Years ago he was pastor to university students at UPC. 

I pray that each of us may be among the strongest players on Jesus’ team, continually working to be in the best shape possible for the minutes that He has us in the game. 

In His grip,
Jerry