ministering together
When I first began as pastor in 2016, many of you asked how to support me in this new role. Remembering your encouragement brings a warm smile to my face. Now, as Melissa onboards as pastor, I hope you are asking yourselves how you can support her.
Paul, a loving and loyal servant of the Anointed One, Jesus. He called me to be his apostle and set me apart with a mission to reveal God’s wonderful gospel. Romans 1:1 (TPT)
As I reflect on these years together, I am especially grateful for the connections to extended family of NCF spread all over the world. I love engaging with you through these weekly letters, reflecting on faith and life together. And I wonder how to increase Melissa’s connections to you all, so that you can mutually strengthen each other.
I write to all his beloved chosen ones in Rome, for you are also called as holy ones. May his joyous grace and total well-being, flowing from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, rest upon you. Romans 1:2 (TPT)
I never imagined that we would have an online service- our own podcast!- where we can hear each other’s voices in Welcome, Scripture, Prayer, Teaching, Benediction and recordings of our musicians singing the unique blend of praise and worship songs we have long loved. During the pandemic, so many participated remotely through voice recordings and videos, strengthening our family ties across the distance. Somehow our online worship reaches ten times the people who are gathered in our physical building on any given Sunday morning.
I give thanks to God for all of you, because the testimony of your faith is spreading throughout the world. Romans 1:8 (TPT)
Having resumed vibrant, in-person services, reveling in singing and making music together, greeting and praying for one another- we have continued to value our virtual church services. The challenges of producing two services each week are sometimes daunting. The beauty of having so many opportunities to serve is that we hear from a wide variety of voices. And asking five different people to record each week, plus finding folks who will be in town and willing to speak onstage, can be difficult.
I yearn to come and be face-to-face with you and get to know you. For I long to impart to you some spiritual gift that will empower you to stand strong in your faith. Romans 1:11 (TPT)
Seven years and a pandemic later, I better understand the support that Melissa and I need to enable us to serve as your pastors. To continue to hear from many voices of our extended family, and strengthen each other in faith, each person has something to contribute. We can’t do it alone, or even the two of us together. We need your eagerness to serve- to record a Welcome, Scripture, Prayer, or Benediction- to share your voice with our community around the world. I encourage you to reach out to us with your willingness and availability- either in person or for online only- to participate in the blessings of being the family of God apart and together. And for all who desire to support Melissa in her new role (especially when I am on sabbatical (Jan 15-April 15), I urge you to respond joyfully and willingly when she reaches out for help.
Now, this means that when we come together and are side by side, something wonderful will be released. We can expect to be co-encouraged and co-comforted by each other’s faith! Romans 1:12 (TPT)
I am so grateful for the gift of this fellowship and the ways we encourage and comfort each other in faith. May we continue to serve one another and our community with the love of God as expressed through Jesus our Lord. May our fellowship be as one body with many parts, working together as a testimony to the world. May we strengthen and support each other on our journey together. -Renée