The Tallowood Times
The Tallowood Times is a bi-monthly communication tool that supplies valuable information to members and guests about Tallowood and her ministries. The information ranges from ministry opportunities, to training information, to concerts and statistical data on the life of the church.
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Times Article from the Pastor
Dear Community of Joy,
“What do you do?” I was filling out an on-line registration. They offered a long list of occupations. Mine did not appear. As far as they are concerned, my occupation is, “Other.” It gave me pause. If I could define my work in a phrase, I would coopt Eugene Peterson’s description, “The care of souls.” In my role as pastor, I am called to care for the souls of the people in our church and in our community as I have opportunity. I do this by praying, preaching, visiting and counseling. My reason for doing these things is of paramount importance. I want to bring glory to God by caring for souls so that they can become disciples of Jesus. Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:24 arrested me: “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
So, what do you do? We are all in ministry. A number of our students declared after camp this year that God is calling them in to Christian ministry. It takes many forms. In our most recent series, I have spoken about our calling to make disciples in our homes. A good friend shared honestly with me that his attempts at discipling others had been less than satisfactory. He has many gifts; among them the regular encouragement of the staff of Tallowood. We are grateful. At some level, we as a group are entrusted with making disciples. Ideally, I would like to see all of us grow in discipleship to Christ so that we can disciple or mentor another in the faith. Several on our staff and in our church are mentoring others. Still, making disciples sounds like a daunting job description.
In his book Radical, David Platt tells a great story about a man he encountered in the Sudan named Bullen. Bullen had grown up as an orphan on the streets after his Christian parents had been killed by a ruthless Muslim regime. David, an American pastor from Birmingham, says his friend in the Sudan smiled as he said, “I am going to impact the world.” It wasn’t apparent that the man could help himself, much less anybody else. “Bullen, how are you going to change the world?” David asked. “I am going to make disciples of all nations.” “So you are going to impact the world by making disciples of all nations?” With a big grin, Bullen answered, “Why not?”
If you are looking for a calling from God, Bullen’s is a good place to start. Are we at Tallowood going to make disciples of all nations and fulfill the Great Commission Christ gave to the church? Let us affirm with Bullen, “Why not?” Why wouldn’t we use the authority Christ has given us to do what he has called us to do? I can’t think of a single reason.
Grace and peace,
Duane