From the Moderator - Stan Rodabaugh
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Will you join me now in pursuing how to live for Christ Jesus and His Kingdom in the coming year? It is my blessing and honor to serve Him and the members of Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren as moderator for 2014. Jesus’ words in John 15:4 (NIV) challenge us: “ Remain in me as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” My chosen theme, “Abide in the Vine/Abide in My Love,” challenges us to be mindful of our personal relationship with our Friend and Savior Jesus, to seek his help as we abide in Him. As He teaches us, all our fruitfulness hinges on our relationship with him. The fruit we bear as we abide in him will be revealed: answered prayer, his joy in us and our joy complete, the capacity to love one another. As we abide in Jesus, the Living Vine, and remain in His love, we will surely bear the fruit of his love, grace and mercy. He goes on to teach us that the fruit produced by those remaining in the Vine is enduring fruit. It doesn’t wear out, grow stale or rot!
As I am invited to meet with congregations during this year, I look forward to listening to concerns and sharing time in prayer together. I am also eager to share resources and experiences that have been important in my relationship with our Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the brothers and sisters with whom I sojourn and those still needing to know the Savior. Instead of making a long list of resources and web pages, I suggest beginning with a two books. The first, Joy Starts Here, The Transformation Zone, by E. James Wilder, Edward M. Khouri, Chris M. Coursey and Shelia D. Sutton, ISBN 978-1-935629-10-8 has been designed to help congregations, families and schools find life giving connection to Emmanuel – Jesus – the Vine. This connection will culminate in abiding in Jesus’ love, thus helping us to grow in our capacity to know and share the peace, joy and love of God that we experience as we abide in the Vine. The second book, Forming, A Work of Grace, by David Takle, ISBN 9780989006903, addresses developing a conversational relationship with Jesus, helping make “abiding in the Vine” a reality in our lives. Both of these books and many more great resources are available at www.joystartshere.com.
Many in the district are familiar with the Honduras Mission Project. I have had the privilege to participate two years and have found the mission to be vitally important to the people we serve. I encourage congregations to invite Bill Hare, coordinator of this work, to come and share about the work there. Bills phone number is 815-734-4268 or mail to Camp Emmaus, P. O. Box 128 - Camp Rd., Mt. Morris, IL 61054
Many Blessings in the New Year!
Pastor Stan Rodabaugh, Moderator, Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren
As I am invited to meet with congregations during this year, I look forward to listening to concerns and sharing time in prayer together. I am also eager to share resources and experiences that have been important in my relationship with our Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the brothers and sisters with whom I sojourn and those still needing to know the Savior. Instead of making a long list of resources and web pages, I suggest beginning with a two books. The first, Joy Starts Here, The Transformation Zone, by E. James Wilder, Edward M. Khouri, Chris M. Coursey and Shelia D. Sutton, ISBN 978-1-935629-10-8 has been designed to help congregations, families and schools find life giving connection to Emmanuel – Jesus – the Vine. This connection will culminate in abiding in Jesus’ love, thus helping us to grow in our capacity to know and share the peace, joy and love of God that we experience as we abide in the Vine. The second book, Forming, A Work of Grace, by David Takle, ISBN 9780989006903, addresses developing a conversational relationship with Jesus, helping make “abiding in the Vine” a reality in our lives. Both of these books and many more great resources are available at www.joystartshere.com.
Many in the district are familiar with the Honduras Mission Project. I have had the privilege to participate two years and have found the mission to be vitally important to the people we serve. I encourage congregations to invite Bill Hare, coordinator of this work, to come and share about the work there. Bills phone number is 815-734-4268 or mail to Camp Emmaus, P. O. Box 128 - Camp Rd., Mt. Morris, IL 61054
Many Blessings in the New Year!
Pastor Stan Rodabaugh, Moderator, Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren
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