March 20 2016 Pastor’s Corner
Marianne
March 13, 2016 Pastor’s Corner
March 6, 2016 Pastor’s Corner
What do people say about St. Paul’s in our community?
When I introduce myself as a pastor at St. Paul’s to members of our Helena community I get mixed responses, “Oh…that big gray building just down from the Cathedral.” “That is the church that does so many efforts in our community to serve the poor.” “Which church is that again?” “That church has been so welcoming to our community group.” “Love that church, they speak out on important issues.” “Oh…THAT church.”
I am guessing many in our church community struggle to know when to talk about our faith community, unsure of the response you will get. What has your experience been? Talking about church and how faith is important to your life can be challenging in the current time. As a pastor even I struggle to talk about our community and navigating an engagement with someone to make sure they know I am not always on a recruiting venture. This navigation of non-recruitment is especially true now that I wear a collar while working. However, I also find that people really want to know what churches are doing and are intrigued when they run into a person of faith at a science conversation, in a community conversation about justice issues, or sitting next to them at the local hangout. Many want to learn more about the church living in the world.
A part of our Lenten discipleship series is exploring how we might find ways to invite others into a life of faith. Perhaps there is someone in your life who is really seeking something like our church, but asking him or her to join us brings about a fear of what that might lead to. Will everyone think you are out recruiting for Jesus? One of the best pieces of advice I have ever heard on this is, “Build a relationship before you ever invite someone to church.” Get to know people in our community like you already do. Then when the topic of our church comes up or we get excited about a church event don’t shy away from sharing about it. Remember not everyone likes sports, but no one is afraid to talk about how much they love their team. Our church is your team and if this faith experience means something to you then it probably can mean something to others out there that are curious about faith practices in their life.
Blessings on your Discipleship journey,
Pastor Tyler
February 28 2016 Pastor’s Corner
Today as we continue our Discipleship series we will focus on how corporate worship and small groups help us to grow as disciples. After worship today you will receive a bookmark with a reminder that discipleship is what Jesus described as the greatest commandment, “Loving God and Loving Others.” As United Methodist we continue to live discipleship through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness of the love of God active in our world. Today’s focus on worship and small groups is the presence portion of our United Methodist vows.
One of the situations I struggle with most as a clergy person is when I meet people in the community and they say, “Oh, I feel so bad I haven’t been to church in 3 months.” It doesn’t bother me because they think they should have been in church, but rather because of the guilt they feel. Not being in church should not make us feel guilty. If you don’t go to church, you are not a bad person. If you don’t go to church and suddenly walk in a church you will not get struck by lightening (I have heard this a lot too). Attending worship is a spiritual practice that is designed to help support us in our relationship with God and how we are in relationship with our community. By listening to a gift of music, hearing a message of hope, praying alongside our brothers and sisters and being in community worship with one another we encounter God’s love together. In return for our commitment of time we are energized in the spirit to go out into the community carrying God’s love.
Last Wednesday night, I spent time with the youth group and they got to ask me tough questions about God and the Bible. As we began I asked them why they come to youth group, and almost everyone said, “The good people we get to be around and know.” Being around people that are working to create good community and encourage one another to live the teachings of Jesus is what small group is. Small groups are not always organized units called small groups, but instead the groups of people that you find support from. Small groups from our church might work together on projects, events, or just meet, but ultimately the goal they achieve is surrounding one another with positive support rooted in God’s love.
As you pray this week about your next steps in discipleship, ask yourself, “What areas of worship and small group community are missing for me?” See where God is inviting you to grow in faith to support your life, and if you are still unsure ask a trusted spiritual mentor, pastor or friend in our faith community.
Enthusiastic Peace,
Pastor Tyler