I love my job. I really do. I don’t say that lightly; I know a lot of you don’t have that experience day to day. But one of the downsides of working at the church is that your world can get very small, very quickly. Especially now that my kids are older and I don’t have sports or school drop-offs in my weekly schedule, there aren’t many natural places to stay connected with the realities of the world outside the church. When you’re in vocational ministry, you have to always be on the hunt for these opportunities.

One way I do this is to volunteer for a charity that does great work in Ethiopia. I have met some amazing people and built great friendships with other volunteers doing this work. But I recognize that this is an area that always needs my attention. Engaging with the world around me requires intention. I could easily fill up each day taking care of stuff for me and my family. I know that this is the case for most people, not just those who work at a church! The trouble is, I want my life to engage the world for Christ. Yes, I want that to start with my family, but I know the Great Commission is calling me to go beyond my four walls. How do I keep moving in that direction?

As we’ve been working through our series on the church, I’m reminded that the practical application of “engaging the world for Christ” (our third core value at Freedom) will be as unique as you are. We’ve been created for good works and gifted differently in order to be able to fulfill the call on our lives.

I am grateful for my friend and colleague, Pastor Chris Padiath, from Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly, who has offered to come and teach us more about how Christ Himself has gifted the church and how we can use these gifts in every place we find ourselves - work, home, community, or church. It’s not too late to join us for this special session of Next Leadership tomorrow night and Saturday morning. Just let us know by the end of the day if you’re coming!

Let’s learn to engage even more this year!
Pastor Tracy