March Jottings...

The apostle Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts makes it crystal clear that it takes all of the gifts, as represented by all the members of the body, to make God’s purposes come alive in our world. I am glad of that. I enjoy exercising my spiritual gifts of teaching and exhortation in preaching and teaching and small groups and private conversations. I struggle with administration - the planning and the execution of all that is a part of a local church with the budget and calendar and other things. Another example is that I also think hospitality is important but you wouldn’t want me planning an important dinner party.

That’s why you are so important to who Cole Memorial is as a local fellowship of believers and to how our faith impacts our outreach. Yes, I am talking to YOU. We are celebrating Lent and there is that inward introspection of how Christ’s death and resurrection impacts me. We are also moving towards Good Friday and Easter and the ultimate truth that His death and resurrection have freed you from sin and freed you to serve. You and your own spiritual gifts and your willingness to serve make ministry possible.

Besides our usual calendar of activities, we have the not so usual events. We will have our own Holy week activities and let you know of community ones as well. I am finalizing an evening Healing service. These are the public ways that our faith is lived out but the practice of many of the spiritual gifts takes place not in public but in private and behind the scenes. Be faithful in all God is calling you to be and to do.

- Pastor Brian