Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today our focus was on creating a culture of call. We seek an environment where people are becoming more and more aware of the awesome presence of God and developing an increasing expectation and ability to hear God's call. The first part of a call culture is recognizing the presence of God. Secondly in light of the majesty, holiness and spendor of God we acknowledge our utter dependence on the grace of God. This is our "evangelical experience" where we receive a keen sense of God's forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. At this point we are in position to hear God's call. Three possibilities were offerd today. 1. A call to serve. Specifically we were asking 8 people to serve by picking up and cleaning coffee cups on Sunday's. It seems small but when service is done "as unto the Lord" all things are deeply significant. I asked for 8. NINE (9) people indicated a response to this act of service! 2. A call to invest in opportunity for others. Speicfically I asked people to underwrite a full scholarship for an Hispanic student to attend one year at Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas. I asked for 45 peole to contribute $100 toward that goal. We understand that not everyone can give that. But the principle is; Not everyone is called to do everything but everyone is called to do something. SIXTY-FIVE (65) responses were returned for a total of $6500! So people gave extra. 3. A call to consider pastoral ministry. I asked for one person in the weekend to respond to that call. ONE (1)response was returned! (There was a report of another but I did not see the card.) What a day. I believe we are in the midst of a strong culture of call becoming more and more real among us. It's been a great day. I hope you've had a great day too. steve