Good morning…
She was walking into our neighborhood as I was driving out. I had not seen this friend, a long-time church member, for a very long time. So, I stopped, rolled down my window, and enjoyed our brief conversation.
“I love church like this!” she said, referring to our COVID-style church of online worship, daily devotionals, and out-of-the-box learning and serving opportunities. This usually quiet, very grounded, black-haired introvert went on to explain her total exuberance.
“It is amazing to watch Rev. Jeff mature before our eyes,” she gushed. (Jeff is a young pastor who with his wife is shepherding their first toddling son.) I nodded in agreement, “It is so much fun to watch God grow Jeff’s spiritual gifts.”
She went on to say, “Of course, Rev. Catherine is a rock star; she’s shining brighter and brighter and brighter.” (Catherine is a long-time pastor who got married later in life a few years back.) I completely, wholeheartedly agreed.
“Then there is James,” she continued. “He’s killing it with creativity, finishing his Ph.D. from Candler School of Theology to become our ‘Dr. J.'” Again, she echoed my pure admiration for James’ mad crazy talent.
“And Dr. Bill (our head pastor) makes space for all of these multi-talented staff members to freely grow their God-given gifts,” she calmly added. I personally have always admired Bill’s quiet leadership style, and I love that others also notice the unique body of Christ growing strong among us.
“It is such a blessing to see our church blossoming so beautifully amid this global pandemic,” she summed up our shared thoughts, before continuing her walk as I drove into my day.
As we have been forced outside the four walls by this coronavirus, we are finding refreshing, expansive ways to be the church. Just this week I felt the cutting edge of God’s growth as I was interviewed for my very first-ever podcast. At 12:20 am this morning, James sent me the link to our energizing conversation. In the wee dark hours of the night, I was drawn like a magnet to listen to the whole entire thing. Sit back, relax, and be amazed as the Spirit in James (Adult Discipleship Director), the Spirit in Nick (Executive Director), and the Spirit in me (Women’s Ministry Director) are caught dancing joyfully together in this powerful podcast.
Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts! (Ephesians 1:3, TPT).
…Sue…
P.S. Join us via Facebook or our website this morning for online worship, 8:00 and 11:15 am traditional worship or contemporary worship at 9:00 am. We also welcome you to our church’s first Open Air Worship 9/13 tonight at 6:00 pm.
P.S.S. Also, please remember to register for our Women’s Ministry classes which begin this week and run to the week of Thanksgiving. We have Zoom classes, face to face classes, and an interactive, God-guide class open to anyone, near and far. Check out our class descriptions and sign up for the opportunities piquing your Spirit’s interest: www.NorthsideUMC.org/womensclasses.
P.S.S.S. Thanks, Corrine Adams, for another life-giving photo.
