The First Baptist Church of Redlands
T A PE S T R Y
J uly 2019
Wo v e n To g e t h e r I n L o v e : C o l o s s i a n s 2 : 2
Bigger Than Me A Message from Pastor Shawn
In June, Rod and I had the pleasure of vacationing in Washington, D. C., and various parts of Virginia. I also attended the American Baptist Mission Summit, which is the national gathering of our ABC family that happens every other year. We enjoy history and so we were quite happy going through museums and visiting historical sites in that area of the country. There is something about visiting the memorials in our nation’s capital, the grand monuments to honor presidents, great leaders, and those who died fighting in wars, that gives me a sense that I am part of something bigger. Even as I stand near other people, whom I don’t know and probably never will, there is a moment that I feel like we are part of the same family and we look at and honor our common history. It is even more the case as we spend time at the gathering of our American Baptist family. It is truly a family reunion as I see friends that I have known for years. I enjoy catching up with old colleagues, old students and even a few old mentors. I realize that I know a lot of people and that they mean something to me. Then there are the familiar practices, like worship in the evening, or meals at which we get updated on what is happening within the “family:” What is happening with the Global Servants and how are churches ministering in innovative ways in their communities? There’s walking around the exhibit hall,
Issue No. 7
looking for new information, but also looking to see whom you will run into, or even what “freebies” you can find at the various exhibits! I always come away from a national gathering inspired by being a part of something bigger, not just national, but global, and not just now, or even in my lifetime, but something that has deep roots in the past and opportunities and hope for the future. I am inspired to continue in the ministry and mission of our Lord Jesus Christ as we live as a part of God’s Kingdom. So now I am home. There are still a couple months of summer ahead. Though there is a different pace than the rest of the year, it is a time to grow. It’s a time to read more. It’s a time to learn something new, whether it is a new subject or a new skill. It’s time to get involved in service whether in the community or in the church. It’s time to enjoy the opportunities to be with people around us, to build new and develop existing relationships. I hope we all will take up the challenge to take up something new in order to grow. Try going to the Redlands Bowl with different people than usual or meeting someone for iced tea at a local shop. Take the opportunity to visit someone who doesn’t get out much. Sign up to go to a church barbeque and then sit with someone you don’t know very well. As the church we are a part of something bigger than us. This is true historically and geographically. We are part of something that transcends time, borders, language and even theology. Let us continue to grow in our faith as we study the Bible, pray for others and look for opportunities to work together with people to be about Christ’s mission in the world. May the foundation for all of this be that we are a part of something bigger. We are a part of the Kingdom of God. Let’s look for how God is at work around us and ask how God wants us to get involved. Let’s find Jesus in the people we meet and allow them to help us to grow in our understanding of God. In Christ, Pastor Shawn