Archive 1c

There is a job that everyone can do. Sure, we need people to work at the soup kitchen. We need people to help teach. We need people to serve on committees. But we need people to pray for this church. We need people to make phone calls. You name it, we probably need it. What could you be doing?

Question 3. Can you no longer see and get excited about possibilities? I know I’ve shared with you a number of times how this church came into existence. None of that would have been able to be accomplished if people hadn’t seen and been excited about the possibilities: the possibility of having a United Methodist Church in southern Utah. Well, we have one. Now what? Does the existence of this campus mean that there are no more possibilities? Hardly!

As Michael and I have been dreaming and visioning about SHUMC, we’ve discovered – actually I’ve discovered more so than he has – that there is tremendous possibility here. We have a music program that could expand. We have an education program that can grow and is growing! We have a worship schedule that will have to grow (judging from the crowd here this morning). There are mission possibilities that abound.

Now, I will admit that as we were discussing all of this, I got a little overwhelmed. I thought, “How are we going to do all of this? How can I possibly take on more?” Well, the answer is Michael and I can’t – nor are he and I called to. Ephesians 4:11-13 says in part – The gifts he gave were that some would be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the word of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. It’s all of our responsibility! In these next weeks, you will be learning how you can assume your role in this task.

So will you use your talent to encourage and build others up? Or are you going to fall asleep? I encourage you, brothers and sisters, do not be like the wicked slave who was thrown into prison for wasting his talent. Use yours to the fullest so that one day you will hear, “well done, good and faithful servant.” Amen.