I’ve always read a lot of non-fiction especially biographies, autobiographies and memoirs. I have found that listening to the stories of others is an important way to learn about the history of our culture. Reading another’s story also helps me to understand what motivates and inspires others. Every once in a while I come upon a person whom I knew was important to know, but had no idea that the story they had to tell would be so interesting, so intriguing, so nuanced.
Sometimes I read the Bible like it was God’s memoir. And like most memoirs I read, the story that is to be found in the pages isn’t finished yet. I very much appreciate the perspective of the United Church of Christ that still uses the catch phrase, “God is Still Speaking”
Reading the Bible in this way has led me to the belief that we all have a story to tell. We all have a story to tell about our experience, our relationship, with the sacred holy mystery. We all have a perspective of faith to share that is useful and needed. When we put those stories together, we have what is called a community of faith… a church with an important story to share with the world.
This Sunday I’ve invited a young man who grew up in our congregation to come and share a part of his experience with us. I met Jon Mehlhaus when he was in 9th grade and a part of my first confirmation class here at EPUMC. Jon is now a junior at Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA. Jon was the guy in that class who seemed to always be distracted, but I knew he was taking in what was going on around him. I knew this because he asked such intriguing questions.
I’ve asked Jon to come because this summer he was involved in a summer intern program for young people who wanted to explore a more direct involvement in the life of a local church. Jon worked in a United Methodist church in Mankato. I don’t know what he’s going to say…What I’ve invited him to reflect upon is his perspective, as a much younger person than we are used to hearing from in our pulpit, about the relationship of his life and his faith. His experience is an important perspective to hear as we keep living out the story of God with us.
It’s a great coincidence that this also occurs on a Sunday when we will be receiving several new members. It’s a great coincidence because the newest members of our church get to hear the newest perspective on church I can imagine giving them. I hope that whoever writes down the story of our church remembers this Sunday. It’s one of those days when I especially anticipate that God will be speaking a word about what is coming in the life we share together.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan
Sometimes I read the Bible like it was God’s memoir. And like most memoirs I read, the story that is to be found in the pages isn’t finished yet. I very much appreciate the perspective of the United Church of Christ that still uses the catch phrase, “God is Still Speaking”
Reading the Bible in this way has led me to the belief that we all have a story to tell. We all have a story to tell about our experience, our relationship, with the sacred holy mystery. We all have a perspective of faith to share that is useful and needed. When we put those stories together, we have what is called a community of faith… a church with an important story to share with the world.
This Sunday I’ve invited a young man who grew up in our congregation to come and share a part of his experience with us. I met Jon Mehlhaus when he was in 9th grade and a part of my first confirmation class here at EPUMC. Jon is now a junior at Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA. Jon was the guy in that class who seemed to always be distracted, but I knew he was taking in what was going on around him. I knew this because he asked such intriguing questions.
I’ve asked Jon to come because this summer he was involved in a summer intern program for young people who wanted to explore a more direct involvement in the life of a local church. Jon worked in a United Methodist church in Mankato. I don’t know what he’s going to say…What I’ve invited him to reflect upon is his perspective, as a much younger person than we are used to hearing from in our pulpit, about the relationship of his life and his faith. His experience is an important perspective to hear as we keep living out the story of God with us.
It’s a great coincidence that this also occurs on a Sunday when we will be receiving several new members. It’s a great coincidence because the newest members of our church get to hear the newest perspective on church I can imagine giving them. I hope that whoever writes down the story of our church remembers this Sunday. It’s one of those days when I especially anticipate that God will be speaking a word about what is coming in the life we share together.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan
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