From Pastor Schulte's Pen
St. John Lutheran Church
Boerne, Texas
From Pastor Schulte’s Pen - Augusts' Messenger
“What In The World Are You Doing For God’s Sake?”
You have heard my definition of Stewardship many times,,, “Stewardship is What you do with What you got!”,,, yet I think that it is so true and so relevant. Stewardship is a good word, especially when we consider that God has called us to be ‘stewards’ of God’s Amazing Grace and to respond to that Grace with all of our life. Stewardship is not spelled “$tewardship”, as in money, but rather “Stewardship”, as in responsible managers, stewards, servants of the Master who seek to be faithful in the management of the life and resources entrusted to us.
This year we are going to have two emphasis in programming to help our members with their responsible stewardship. Since so many of our “Serving” ministry is related to our Program year, or school year, running from September thru May, we have decided to encourage our members to plan their serving accordingly. On August 10th we will have our Ministry Fair as all of our Committees and Ministries share their ministries in displays that describe their work. This will be done all morning long with a Bill Miller’s “Finger Lickin Fried Chicken Dinner” being served following the 10:30 AM Worship. We have so many ways to serve our Lord through his Church and the church needs each of us offering our best. People will be on hand at the displays to explain the work of their ministry. For example, Altar Guild will have a display showing what they do but they will also have a person there to tell exactly what persons do in serving on the Altar Guild. This will be the case in every ministry area.
I want to especially encourage our best commitment to the whole area of Christian Education and Faith Formation. Yes, people are busy, and yes, a lot of people work, but bottom line, what is more important for a congregation than to provide the best possible means for young people to hear the gospel, understand the gospel and to find a reason for responding to the gospel? Most often parents with children become teachers and leaders, but we need to see this as the ‘pastoral ministry of the congregation’, all ages and experiences, joining together to help teach the faith and share the faith. Some exciting new teaching methods will bring about a need for many people with particular gifts sharing their gift for a short period of time. Let’s pay special attention to The Children’s Faith Formation displays and let’s renew our commitment to faithfulness in this area.
But all areas are important! New “Plans for Serving” forms are being developed and will be mailed to you in advance of Ministry Fair Day. Prayerfully consider your plans for serving in the program year, September 08 to May 09. Dare to ask yourself, “What in the Word am I Doing, For God’s Sake?” Then make your plans for serving.
Jesus invites you to join him in giving your “self” away. Let’s do it with Joy and Thanksgiving.
Pastor Henry Schulte