“It is not the Church of God
that has a mission in the world …
but the God of mission
who has a Church in the world.”
Dear Caldwell,
Yesterday I preached a sermon titled Reckless Self-Forgetfulness that proved a mouthful for me at times 🙂 and perhaps a brain-full for you. As we look to the next two weeks in this series of sermons on what it means to be both “missional and transformative,” I am interested in what you think.
Above and below are a couple of key quotes I incorporated. If you want to read the whole sermon it’s on the website here. http://www.caldwellpresby.org/docs/sermons2013/130224_Reckless_Self-Forgetfulness_Part1.pdf
I truly welcome your thoughts and reactions. You can email me directly at pastor@caldwellpresby.org or use the reply box below this post.
It will only be by the movements that begin with the local congregation in which the reality of the new creation is present, known and experienced, and from which men and women will go into every aspect of public life to claim it for Christ, to unmask the illusions which have remained hidden and to expose all areas of public life to the illumination of the gospel. But that will only happen as and when the local congregations renounce an introverted concern for their own life and recognize that they exist for the sake of those who are not members, as sign, instrument and foretaste of God’s redeeming grace for the whole life of society.
— Leslie Newbignin, a Reformed author, theologian and missionary
As a quick pastoral care update, please keep Marie Mancinelli and Terry Nilles in prayer. Marie left church yesterday after feeling chest pain. We’re grateful that Dr. Rhett Brown and Carl Brinson were close by to help! Marie is feeling fine today and is awaiting test results. We’re also keeping Judy and Chuck Atwell in prayer as Chuck engages in physical therapy after a stroke last week. Congrats to BG and Bob Metzler who welcomed their newest grandchild into the world last week. Finally, a big THANK YOU to all who helped with yesterday’s Covered Dish lunch, especially the Fellowship Committee and our youth.