ISSUE 2
OCTOBER 2015
Pastor’s Pen: Put Me In, Coach! [ October 4 ] IMAGINE IF CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATION
[ October 24, 27, 29 ] UPWARD EVALUATIONS
[ October 31 ] TRUNK-OR-TREAT 2:00-4:00 PM
No athlete excels by merely watching videos or studying game theory. Sooner or later, you have to play the game. "Put Me In, Coach" is my upcoming sermon series about getting off the bench and entering the game-finding your place in Kingdom service. Years ago, I heard God's call to vocational ministry because our tiny church had a Youth Sunday and asked me to preach. I grew to be the pastor I am today because mature believers entrusted me with responsibilities -even though they could have done those things faster, better and more smoothly themselves! One trait I've noticed about top tier athletes: they all want desperately to play. And this begs the question--why wouldn't Christ's followers want to be in the game, changing lives and making a difference? Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said, "I knew God could save the world without me, but when I found out I could help, I praised His name." As I write this column, both the Cardinals and Royals are atop their respective MLB divisions. It promises to be an exciting post-season in the baseball world. In football, both the KC Chiefs and Mizzou Tigers have excellent teams. What an autumn awaits us! But I'm even more enthused about what God is doing among us, as we continue Imagine If, exploring God's dream for FBC JC, and as we all get in the game and find our place of service and witness. I hope you'll be a part of this fun sermon series. Grace,