What is this “Network” thing we are doing in January?

... sounds like it has something to do with television or computers.”

First off,  Network has nothing to do with computers or television. But it has everything to do with God’s vision. God’s vision for His church ( and remember, the church is people). A couple examples from Scripture:

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it....    Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant... There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”                                          From 1 Corinthians 12

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.                    From 1 Peter 4

God’s vision for His church is that each of us would use the spiritual gifts we have been given - and we have all been given gifts. We use the gifts God gave us to help others and give God glory (pointing others Jesus by our actions).

Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do.”

In other words:

·                     Before all creation, God prepared some ministry opportunities for you to do (“ministry” means “service”)

• God created you

• God sent Jesus to make a relationship possible with you

• He called you to be part of His family through faith in Jesus

• He gave you His Holy Spirit who brought you to faith in Jesus

• He gave you a Spiritual gift to use

• He gave you the power of the Holy Spirit to minister to the body of Christ (church) with that gift.

• He identified the works He has for you to do.

• He promises His continuous presence to help you.

Network is a study that will help you discover:

1.        Specific Spiritual gifts God has given you;

2.        Specific aspects of ministry you have a passion for and

3.        Ministries you can use your passion and gifts in.

Just as each part of the human body has a specific ability and task that the rest of the body needs. Likewise, each Christian, as part of the body of Christ, has a specific ability and task that the rest of the body needs.  Make a point to come to Network and discover your spiritual gifts, your passion for ministry. The church (the rest of the body) needs you and your gift.

Network is a one-hour/week, six-week study. It will be held Monday evenings @ 7:00 p.m. (at Dan & Tammy Millers’ home) beginning January 15. It will also be held at church on Sunday mornings @ 9:15 beginning January 20.

By the way, why the name Network?  I checked a dictionary and found this definition of the word “network”: “An interconnected or interrelated group.”  That definition fits pretty well with God’s vision for His church. He designed us to be an interconnected and interrelated group of believers.

Thanks for asking,
Pastor David

Send your questions to pastor@livingwordlutheran.net

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