Joshua 8
Do not fear or be dismayed. The LORD is with Joshua and the army of Israel. They have been sent to take the land which God has given them. He provides them with a full-proof strategy. They take the land that He has promised with the help of God.
I was at the installation of Pr. Peter Suomela at Bethany Lutheran, Covington, MI yesterday. What a marvelous celebration! The sanctuary which normally has about 25 to 30 worshippers on a Sunday was filled to overflowing, there were people even in the balcony. And... we all rejoiced as we heard the good news proclaimed by Rev. Mark Vander Tuig. What a joy to be with that little (growing) congregation as they celebrated the calling of a pastor to serve them.
A little over a year ago, Bethany began talking about making some changes in their denominational affiliation. They wanted to break away from the cycle of always worrying about if they would have the finances to keep going. They wanted the days of fearing that their little church would close down and their congregation dying to be over. They longed to be free to grow and to proclaim the kingdom of God to all people as Jesus commands them. They knew that in order to really grab hold of all the opportunities to serve God and His people so that the Body of Christ where they are at would grow and be edified they would have to make some serious changes. All that considering what to do was a very anxious time for them. But, determined to trust God they worked through the process and made the move to Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). And God has and is blessing their ministry. For the first time in five years they have a pastor to serve them. They've had interim pastors, but none whose primary call was to serve them. In fact it might be the first time they have ever had a pastor who did not have more than one congregation to serve and I'm pretty sure this congregation is around 100 years old. They dared to trust the LORD to lead them to do His will. Today, rather than fearing what will become of them, the members of Bethany Lutheran is celebrating the opportunities before them to serve God and proclaim the good news of His Kingdom. What a change! What a relief! I am sure they will still have some anxious days. They are human as we are human and we all from time to time to forget to trust the LORD's will for us. But, when those times come, they will remember their journey through the wilderness and their trust in the LORD renewed.
There are other congregations who today are considering making similar changes. The future is unknown and it can be an anxious time. But, there is no need to fear. As we strive to seek to do God's will; as we take hold of the promise and follow where He will lead us; God is with us. We follow where He will lead us; we make changes in order to more fully receive the promise; all with the help of God.
Do not fear or be dismayed. The LORD is with you. The LORD blesses you and will help you as you strive to do His will bringing the good news of the Kingdom in Jesus Christ to all people.
For those congregations who are small and think they are in danger of dying or closing: God has a plan for you. It is a good plan. Do not fear. Listen and follow... For His glory...
Do not fear or be dismayed. The LORD is with Joshua and the army of Israel. They have been sent to take the land which God has given them. He provides them with a full-proof strategy. They take the land that He has promised with the help of God.
I was at the installation of Pr. Peter Suomela at Bethany Lutheran, Covington, MI yesterday. What a marvelous celebration! The sanctuary which normally has about 25 to 30 worshippers on a Sunday was filled to overflowing, there were people even in the balcony. And... we all rejoiced as we heard the good news proclaimed by Rev. Mark Vander Tuig. What a joy to be with that little (growing) congregation as they celebrated the calling of a pastor to serve them.
A little over a year ago, Bethany began talking about making some changes in their denominational affiliation. They wanted to break away from the cycle of always worrying about if they would have the finances to keep going. They wanted the days of fearing that their little church would close down and their congregation dying to be over. They longed to be free to grow and to proclaim the kingdom of God to all people as Jesus commands them. They knew that in order to really grab hold of all the opportunities to serve God and His people so that the Body of Christ where they are at would grow and be edified they would have to make some serious changes. All that considering what to do was a very anxious time for them. But, determined to trust God they worked through the process and made the move to Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). And God has and is blessing their ministry. For the first time in five years they have a pastor to serve them. They've had interim pastors, but none whose primary call was to serve them. In fact it might be the first time they have ever had a pastor who did not have more than one congregation to serve and I'm pretty sure this congregation is around 100 years old. They dared to trust the LORD to lead them to do His will. Today, rather than fearing what will become of them, the members of Bethany Lutheran is celebrating the opportunities before them to serve God and proclaim the good news of His Kingdom. What a change! What a relief! I am sure they will still have some anxious days. They are human as we are human and we all from time to time to forget to trust the LORD's will for us. But, when those times come, they will remember their journey through the wilderness and their trust in the LORD renewed.
There are other congregations who today are considering making similar changes. The future is unknown and it can be an anxious time. But, there is no need to fear. As we strive to seek to do God's will; as we take hold of the promise and follow where He will lead us; God is with us. We follow where He will lead us; we make changes in order to more fully receive the promise; all with the help of God.
Do not fear or be dismayed. The LORD is with you. The LORD blesses you and will help you as you strive to do His will bringing the good news of the Kingdom in Jesus Christ to all people.
For those congregations who are small and think they are in danger of dying or closing: God has a plan for you. It is a good plan. Do not fear. Listen and follow... For His glory...
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