TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
I laugh at the commercial you may have seen too about the person at work who, no matter what the subject of conversation, he’s been listening to a podcast about it! You may know someone like that!
I don’t listen to lots of podcasts, but I’m liking one I’ve been introduced to recently called “Bible & Theology Matters.” In a recent episode, the speaker used a term I thought works well for us today. The term was “Christian Influencer.”
You’ve probably heard about people known as “influencers.” According to the speaker on the podcast, a Christian influencer is someone who “saturates any and every environment for God.” What a wonderful opportunity it is to look at our own lives that way! It’s a perfect way to use our lives, no matter what we’re doing and no matter where we go. It’s really what a disciple-maker does for Jesus. Wherever I go, do I saturate the environment for Christ, for God?
Jesus illustrated this idea in the Sermon on the Mount when he told his followers to be salt and light in the world. Salt and light are ordinary, everyday things but have a massive influence on the environments in which they’re placed.
In ancient times, salt was used much as it is today — to season or flavor food ; to preserve food from decay ; to fertilize soil that had been harvested too many times; and even medicinally, to treat cuts, wounds, sores, and skin irritations.
Jesus wasn’t trying to educate his followers on salt; he was speaking about what his followers would / should be like. By living in relationship with him, we can help preserve society from rot and decay; help nourish society; and help heal a wounded world. The same is true of light : Light helps people to see. When light shows up, darkness flees.
Barnabas was an early “Christian influencer” in the Church. Barnabas was generous with his words, with his wallet, and with his work. He was an encourager; he sold a field and donated the proceeds to the church; he had a vision for God’s work in the world, becoming a church leader and missionary, and he received the Apostle Paul into the fellowship when others feared Paul. He took risks; he saturated his environment with Christ; he was an influencer.
May God bless our influence today! May you have a vision for being a Christian influencer!
Going on at Crossroads:
Worship this Sunday morning, 10:00
I look forward to joining you in worship this Sunday morning at the Community Center! The sermon will again be on the theme of hope — “What is Hope?” Our world needs hope, and so do we! Hebrews 11 will be our text — a passage we usually associate with faith, not hope. But faith and hope are tightly connected, as we’ll see.
Hayride this Saturday
Looking forward to a fun time at the Reedys’ home in Moundville for a wiener roast and hayride this Saturday! Join us at 4:30 or whenever you can get there! *contact us for more information*. Please bring a lawn chair and chips, drinks, or another side to share ! Hot dogs and buns and condiments will be provided.
Nominating Committee
We need two more volunteers to complete our Nominating Committee. The job of the Nominating Committee is to seek God’s leading for an open position on next year’s Elder Board. The committee’s work will require a couple of meetings, perhaps a few phone calls, and prayer. We need to have an elder nominee by the end of November, so it’s not a long-term commitment. If you would like to help, please let me know as soon as possible. Dave Reedy will be shepherding that committee through their work. Angi Dahmer, Heather Vestal, and Julie Kemper are three others who will be serving. Thank you !
Congregational Meeting
Please mark your calendar for a congregational meeting on Sunday, December 17, following the worship service. At that time, we will vote on a 2024 church budget and elect an elder.
Elders Report
We’ll have a short report from our elders at the conclusion of this Sunday’s worship.
Thanksgiving & Christmas
We’re hopeful of having a Thanksgiving dinner together on Sunday, November 19. More details to come. If you would like to help me plan a Christmas Eve service, I would welcome your help. Let me know if you’re willing! Thank you!
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13
— Tom
Leave a Reply