From the Pastor’s Desk – October 2024

One day St. Francis of Assisi, invited a young monk to join him on a trip into town to preach. The young monk was so honored to get such an invitation from St. Francis that he quickly accepted. All day long he and St. Francis walked through the streets and byways, alleys and suburbs, and they rubbed shoulders with
hundreds of people.

At the end of the day, the two headed back home, however, not even once had St. Francis addressed a crowd, nor had he talked to anyone about the gospel. The young monk was greatly disappointed, and he said to St. Francis, “I thought we were going into town to preach?” St. Francis responded, “My son, we have preached. We were preaching while we were walking. We were seen by many and our behavior was closely watched. It is of no use to walk anywhere to preach unless we preach everywhere as we walk!”

It’s no secret that we, the church, have forgotten what it means to preach the gospel, what it means to bring to others the good news, what it means to evangelize. The word evangelism has become a dirty word in some churches, and if it isn’t outright dismissed altogether, then it is relegated as a task for only those who have been ordained, or for those who are the professional speakers, who make a living giving their testimonials and asking for altar calls, or for those who are missionaries overseas.

That’s right! I used the “E” word. We freeze in terror when the subject comes up. Many have the mistaken notion of what evangelism really is. One does not have to be an accomplished speaker, an expert in theology, or specially trained to share God’s love. All God asks of us, as the previous story suggests is to love God and love each other.

Let’s get one thing straight. Evangelism isn’t MY job. Oh, it’s not YOUR job either. It’s OUR job!

Let me explain. Our church works best when some member identifies a friend who has needs, loves this person/family enough to suggest that there is help and answers when someone is connected to a faith community, and invites them to check us out.

It could be that their friend/family needs some pastoral care, or needs our community to rise up and use our resources, or both. When we work together to reach out into the community, showing God’s love for everyone, then great things happen.

People are seeing how we have become a community-minded church. We are known as a church that cares, not just in words, but in actions. It is beginning to reap dividends, not just for St. Peter UCC, but for the Kingdom of God!

As always, I welcome your comments.

Pastor Cory