When a church is anticipating or undergoing a significant change, the commitment of its members is absolutely crucial. There are some significant changes ahead for Hope Fellowship. That’s why I’m challenging you to strengthen your commitment to our church family.
The writer of Hebrews sounded a similar note. During a time of persecution when New Testament Christians were forced to meet secretly, he said, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
Two thousand years later we are still waiting for the Day of Christ’s return. But there are other pivotal days that also require us to faithfully meet together. One such approaching day is the day when Marja and I will retire from ministry at Hope Fellowship and step aside for the next pastor(s) that God will provide to lead the next chapter.
Some apprehension during times of change is normal. The best way to combat our fears for the future is to continue to trust in Christ, the head of the church, and to keep showing up, which is how commitment is demonstrated.
All churches need the loyalty of people who actively support the vision and mission of their church. But churches in transition have an especially urgent need for people who will continue to serve where they’ve been called and step up where they have not stepped up before. Most importantly, churches facing changes in their leadership need people who will “not give up meeting together.”
Regular attendance is already a challenge for most congregations. On any given Sunday a significant segment of the church is elsewhere, busy with alternative interests like family re-unions, athletic events, power vacations, weekends at the cottage or trailer, or even just sleeping in. Imagine the detrimental effect of these competing priorities when we need to be there for each other more than ever!
I admire the commitment of a couple in my extended family who are very intentional about limiting the number of weekends that they’re absent from their church. They do their level best to “meet together” with their church family on Sundays and their small group during the week. Often it means leaving early from something or departing later for something else. Their priorities sometimes frustrate others who wish that they were just a little less committed. But their church really matters to them. And in the face of trouble or change, their spiritual family will be blessed to have them. I urge you to be just as committed to Hope Fellowship so that we can count on you as we navigate our way into the next chapter that God is writing.
When Hope Fellowship stumbled out of the gate in the early years, it was the commitment of a core group of faithful people that kept this young church moving forward. This congregation is sixteen years old now, and it is the commitment of the faithful that will help her become a healthy young adult.
The future of our church is dependent not only on God’s faithfulness but also on the faithfulness of every person who calls Hope Fellowship home. That’s why I’m reminding you of the challenge heard in Hebrews 10:25. That’s why, well in advance of the changes ahead, I’m sounding the call: “All hands on deck.”
The story is told of an elderly woman whose eyesight and hearing was so poor that someone asked why she still bothered to come to church. Her answer? “I want people to know whose side I’m on.”
That’s the kind of commitment Jesus expects from us.
- Pastor Peter
The writer of Hebrews sounded a similar note. During a time of persecution when New Testament Christians were forced to meet secretly, he said, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
Two thousand years later we are still waiting for the Day of Christ’s return. But there are other pivotal days that also require us to faithfully meet together. One such approaching day is the day when Marja and I will retire from ministry at Hope Fellowship and step aside for the next pastor(s) that God will provide to lead the next chapter.
Some apprehension during times of change is normal. The best way to combat our fears for the future is to continue to trust in Christ, the head of the church, and to keep showing up, which is how commitment is demonstrated.
All churches need the loyalty of people who actively support the vision and mission of their church. But churches in transition have an especially urgent need for people who will continue to serve where they’ve been called and step up where they have not stepped up before. Most importantly, churches facing changes in their leadership need people who will “not give up meeting together.”
Regular attendance is already a challenge for most congregations. On any given Sunday a significant segment of the church is elsewhere, busy with alternative interests like family re-unions, athletic events, power vacations, weekends at the cottage or trailer, or even just sleeping in. Imagine the detrimental effect of these competing priorities when we need to be there for each other more than ever!
I admire the commitment of a couple in my extended family who are very intentional about limiting the number of weekends that they’re absent from their church. They do their level best to “meet together” with their church family on Sundays and their small group during the week. Often it means leaving early from something or departing later for something else. Their priorities sometimes frustrate others who wish that they were just a little less committed. But their church really matters to them. And in the face of trouble or change, their spiritual family will be blessed to have them. I urge you to be just as committed to Hope Fellowship so that we can count on you as we navigate our way into the next chapter that God is writing.
When Hope Fellowship stumbled out of the gate in the early years, it was the commitment of a core group of faithful people that kept this young church moving forward. This congregation is sixteen years old now, and it is the commitment of the faithful that will help her become a healthy young adult.
The future of our church is dependent not only on God’s faithfulness but also on the faithfulness of every person who calls Hope Fellowship home. That’s why I’m reminding you of the challenge heard in Hebrews 10:25. That’s why, well in advance of the changes ahead, I’m sounding the call: “All hands on deck.”
The story is told of an elderly woman whose eyesight and hearing was so poor that someone asked why she still bothered to come to church. Her answer? “I want people to know whose side I’m on.”
That’s the kind of commitment Jesus expects from us.
- Pastor Peter
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