THE VILLAGE ILWIDIOT
Walt Wiltschek
“Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.”
— Col. 2:7b, CEV
“Are you blessed?” music leader Gilbert Romero asked participants at this year’s denominational New and Renew conference, held in Elgin last month. When they agreed, his response came accompanied by a joyful smile: “Then act like it!”
With that, he and the band backing him launched into an energetic song that brought the room to its feet and had people offering expressions of praise.
Then act like it. It seems like a rather simple observation, but it’s good for us to be reminded occasionally. Others have noted that people don’t want to be part of a faith community full of dour, depressed faces. It’s hard to authentically praise God from a scowling mouth. Every moment of life won’t necessarily be happy, but we should hold a deep well of joy within us.
At the conference, story after story described the ways Jesus has been at work in places large and small across the church. A Spanish-speaking congregation in California talked about outgrowing their space. A pastor spoke about the simple pleasures in learning more about the community surrounding their church—what he calls “the theology of presence”—concluding that “neighboring is the essence of discipleship.” Another found encouragement in sharing the story of faith with a few others at a time, equipping them to go and share with a few more.
Josh Brockway, director of spiritual formation for the Church of the Brethren, talked about the practices of our faith that lead us on “an intentional journey of becoming like Jesus” that leads us to form “new selves, new relationships, and new imaginations.” And keynote speaker Jessie Cruickshank described the importance of trusting God and faithfully doing the piece of God’s work we’ve been given. “It’s not up to us to finish the work,” she said, “just to continue it.”
Those stories and experiences are signs of a church that still contains a lot of life, and a lot of joy. Everyone who was at the conference—including a number of people from our district—remarked on the uplifting energy and excitement felt in that worshipful, multi-cultural space.
As Gilbert continued with his music, he broke into one of his trademark songs: “I’m blessed, yes I know that I am, since Jesus took control of my life.”
Do you feel blessed, despite any challenges that you or your congregation might be carrying? Then let it show in your life. Others might just take notice.
“Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.”
— Col. 2:7b, CEV
“Are you blessed?” music leader Gilbert Romero asked participants at this year’s denominational New and Renew conference, held in Elgin last month. When they agreed, his response came accompanied by a joyful smile: “Then act like it!”
With that, he and the band backing him launched into an energetic song that brought the room to its feet and had people offering expressions of praise.
Then act like it. It seems like a rather simple observation, but it’s good for us to be reminded occasionally. Others have noted that people don’t want to be part of a faith community full of dour, depressed faces. It’s hard to authentically praise God from a scowling mouth. Every moment of life won’t necessarily be happy, but we should hold a deep well of joy within us.
At the conference, story after story described the ways Jesus has been at work in places large and small across the church. A Spanish-speaking congregation in California talked about outgrowing their space. A pastor spoke about the simple pleasures in learning more about the community surrounding their church—what he calls “the theology of presence”—concluding that “neighboring is the essence of discipleship.” Another found encouragement in sharing the story of faith with a few others at a time, equipping them to go and share with a few more.
Josh Brockway, director of spiritual formation for the Church of the Brethren, talked about the practices of our faith that lead us on “an intentional journey of becoming like Jesus” that leads us to form “new selves, new relationships, and new imaginations.” And keynote speaker Jessie Cruickshank described the importance of trusting God and faithfully doing the piece of God’s work we’ve been given. “It’s not up to us to finish the work,” she said, “just to continue it.”
Those stories and experiences are signs of a church that still contains a lot of life, and a lot of joy. Everyone who was at the conference—including a number of people from our district—remarked on the uplifting energy and excitement felt in that worshipful, multi-cultural space.
As Gilbert continued with his music, he broke into one of his trademark songs: “I’m blessed, yes I know that I am, since Jesus took control of my life.”
Do you feel blessed, despite any challenges that you or your congregation might be carrying? Then let it show in your life. Others might just take notice.
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