Category Archives: Resurrection Lutheran Church

Witnessing to God’s Power

Leave a reply

Clif Christopher’s book “Whose Offer Plate is It?” offers challenging insight into what motivates people to give to their local congregation.  In the chapter titled, “Do we really have to compete?”  Clif examines how churches need to consider the competition for people’s charitable giving.   People no longer give automatically to the church.  We are all inundated with opportunities to give to good, meaningful charities and nonprofits.  Clif argues that church member and friends need a convincing case that their money will affect lives in and through their congregation.  He writes,

 

People need to hear our life-changing stories and be helped to understand how their dollars are creating positive change in the lives of people in ways that other institutions could not do.  If we want to argue that we are a great place for people to feed the hungry, then World Vision or Oxfam will beat us every day because they are experts at feeding the underprivileged.  We, however, are the one place whose mission it is to bring people into the life-changing relationships with Jesus Christ. Share with people how this place helps bring the power of the Holy Spirit into broken and grief-stricken lives.  Point out how those who were without direction came to find direction and a new life through the church.  Compete on that field and you will be chosen.  

WE ARE THE ONE PLACE
 whose mission is to bring people
 into life-changing relationships with
Jesus Christ. 

The people in our pew (or chair) are asking “Why should I choose the church over World Vision or Oxfam or Boy Scouts or the university or the hospital?”  We must be prepared on a daily basis to boldly answer the question, and if we cannot easily do it, then we must get busy changing our church. 

I am thankful that Resurrection has such stories of personal transformation.  We need to discover ways to share these stories with the wider community.

Jesus said, “You shall be my witnesses” Acts 1:8.

Do you have a story that bears witness to Jesus’ power and love

Lord Jesus, thank you for my congregation that bears witness to your grace and mercy. 

Mission Trip Report

Leave a reply

Today  I have a guest blogger, Brian Wright, who give us a report on our recent youth mission trip. Thank, Brian!

Brian Wright between Tonya and Terri

Twelve amazing and energetic youth of Resurrection put their busy summers on pause for the week of July 10 and entered into an unfamiliar territory to serve members of the town of Sisseton South Dakota. This small rural town was considerably different from their home towns, pushing the leaders as well as youth to journey outside of their comfort zones and to confront a number of fears to show their love for God and people.

To fit with the missions theme: ‘Be Different’, the youth of Resurrection began spreading their joy of the Lord with the four other churches immediately upon their arrival. During our first worship service and throughout the week, the other churches as well as Youth Works staff were in awe of the love and the energy that each and every one of the twelve youth displayed in their love of God and for others. This energy and love proved to be contagious, by the end of the week the Youth Works staff and other churches stared to feed off of this enthusiasm.

Each day of our adventure began between 6:45 and 7am (depending on their assigned breakfast preparation responsibilities) and the days were filled with service and devotion, seeking to discover how God was at work in each of our lives. The days’ events did not end until 11pm in the evening. Despite running on little sleep and sleeping on the floor or air mattresses in sleeping bags, the youth refused to display fatigue and maintained their joyful and energetic attitudes (the leaders did the same with the help of some coffee). ☺

During the trip, we were divided into three different groups and took part in various service projects throughout the community by painting houses, leading youngster of the community in worship, and spending time with the elderly in nursing homes.

On the last night of the trip, the leaders and youth took part in a foot washing ceremony to commemorate their last night in Sisseton. The ceremony proved to be a moving and emotional experience that allowed each member of the trip to connect with one another on a stronger and more spiritual manner and to reflect on the growth and love that was spread throughout the week.

From this trip, new friendships were formed and old ones became even stronger: both with members within our church and with members within the Sisseton community. The youth of Resurrection returned home safely reflecting on how they could continue living in a manner that is different from the society just as Jesus did during his time on earth.