Another Pastoral Epistle 9/19/18

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall” (Oscar Wilde). Many of you have recently commented on your loving the fall season. Although, I am not a big fan of the season right behind it, I too, have a liking to fall. Also, it is this season that my memories of my dad stand out. My dad loved the Red Sox and this is the time of year that baseball is at its best. No doubt I inherited my love for sports from my dad.

My mind also goes to my dad working on puzzles, especially in his later years. Still in our home today we often have a puzzle that we are working on set up in the living room. Believe it or not, there can be frustrating moments in putting together a puzzle. Like when the dog chewed one of the pieces. Or when we had to take down the unfinished puzzle because we needed the table it was set on. And those times when the piece almost fits, but obviously isn’t the right piece. You can try and force it to fit, but it just won’t fit. That piece wasn’t made to go in that slot. Oh! But how sweet it is to place the right piece in the right spot!

Have you wondered how you fit into God’s work? Have you thought about the right fit for you in serving here at EBC? You are an important piece to the puzzle- to the work of God through this church. You are not here by accident, God has brought you to EBC for a reason. The Bible says that God arranges the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. Check out 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

A tool that we use at EBC to help you find your ministry fit is Network. This workshop is designed to help you discover your spiritual gifts, personal style, and passion for serving in the church. Network’s goal is to have the right people in the right places. Will you consider attending this workshop? Part one is on Saturday, October 27 from 9:00-noon or you can choose to attend on Thursday night, November 1, from 6:00-9:00. Part two will take place on Saturday, November 3, from 9:00-noon. You must attend both part one and part two and must sign up in advance to get your workbook and begin the necessary preparations. Sign-ups will be this Sunday and the following Sunday.

Why serve? Returning to the analogy of the puzzle, it helps to see the picture on the box in sorting and placement of the pieces. What is the bigger picture of service? Serving is part of our process of making disciples. It is being equipped to serve in the right place of ministry that develops you as a follower of Christ and contributes to the growth and health of the church. The church needs you to serve, not to fill positions, but because of the significant contribution you make to the overall health of the church.

Ephesians 2:10 says that believers are God’s workmanship. That is in the present tense. It is not “we we’re God’s workmanship” or “we might be God’s workmanship,” but we are His workmanship. God is continuously at work in our lives leading us to those good works He has prepared for us in advance to do. What has He prepared for you to do? Don’t be puzzled about where you best fit and where you can make a greater impact for the eternal kingdom, participate in the network workshop. See the bigger picture of growing His church and being more fulfilled in your walk with Jesus Christ!

One piece of the puzzle,

Pastor Brian