JustFAITH

I have to confess that over the last year I have felt like I have let you all down just a bit.  Sure, we gather on Sunday morning and worship God.  We have Fellowship events that are fun and entertaining.  We even occasionally do “good deeds” by donating to our food pantry, cleaning up city parks, helping build houses for the poor, and assisting other organizations that focus on those “less than.” But are we really being actively transformed by our faith?

That’s the question that has been rattling around my brain ever since I attended a presentation on a program called JustFAITH.  During our time together they asked the question: “What happens to people in your congregation after they’ve been members for five years?  What happens to their hearts?” The insinuation was – what good has the church done for them?  Are they changed?  Are they closer to who God created them to be?  And if so, how is that demonstrated?

So let me ask you - are you closer? Are you growing as a child of God?  Has your heart continued to grow bigger and bigger and bigger? Did you know that that Jesus says “Follow me!” 87 times in the Gospels?  I guess he was trying to make a point.  Jesus didn’t just go to church or serve on committees or even attend weddings or pick up trash.  He cared deeply and it showed by where he went, how he spent his time, and what mattered to him.

If we want to be more like Jesus it will take time and effort.  That can be scary.  But it can also be a journey of great joy.  On Sunday September 27^th we are going to embark on a 30 week journey of discovery, compassion, and dedication; a journey to learn to be more like Jesus.  It is called JustFAITH and I am convinced it will be just what the doctor (in this case the doctor being Jesus) ordered.

I am so convinced that I will be co-facilitating the class with Linda Buckley. We will be meeting every Sunday afternoon (with appropriate breaks) from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. To date over 20,000 people in 1,100 Catholic and Protestant churches from around the country have participated in JustFAITH programs.  We are going to be #1,101.

During our time together we will read stimulating and engaging books, view DVDs, listen to guest speakers, discuss what we hear and learn, and pray together.  There will also be two weekend retreats and four immersion experiences where we put feet to our faith. 

You will be transformed if you commit to this opportunity.  It won’t be easy – it will require time and effort. But Jesus never promised that following him did not come without a cost – but trust me, the cost is well worth it.

You will be hearing more about this important program in the coming weeks.  I know this won’t be for everyone.  Some will think they have no interest.  Some will think they have no time.  Some will think the cost is too great.  I hope that will not be you, for the truth is: Jesus is worth it.  And so are you.

Be blessed my friends.  And as always, I’ll see you on Sunday!

Pastor Tom