Undefeated

Post from the church newsletter for October.

Life is good (no, it’s GREAT) for this old pastor. Lawson High School football
team is undefeated. My KSU Wildcats are undefeated. Kansas City Chiefs are
undefeated. As many of you know I really love football and I can’t remember a time
when my three favorite teams were all undefeated. The amazing thing is all three teams
are really looking great. Lawson has been on top of their game for years but the other
two, as you know, have been struggling the last few years (seems like decades for the
Chiefs) and that makes this moment even more exciting.
Many teams, football and other sports, go through rebuilding periods, eras where
they aren’t quite on top of their game because one portion of their defense or offense or
one particular position is slightly lacking. Recruiters in college and General Managers in
the pros look for players to fill those voids and get back to the level of play they expect
from their team.
The church is similar but yet very different. We as a church function as a team
and when we are all doing what God has called us to do we operate very smoothly and are
undefeated by any obstacles placed in our path. One of the differences is we are not
called to compete with one another for positions in the church. Each one of us has
different gifts and graces and there is room for all on this team. When we recruit we don’t
replace players but rather try to find the right niche for ministry for each new person that
becomes a part of the congregation. That is why it important for each member to explore
where they feel called to function as part of the whole.
We are in the nominations process at this time and doing our very best to discern
each member’s gifts in order to connect all persons to the ministry of Lawson UMC . If
we do our job well this church will be undefeatable. What would make our task easier is
to hear from each of you. What is it you like to do? What gives you joy? How can that
be connected to the church in a constructive way? It isn’t just the offices that make this
church function, the most important groups are the committees that function as ministries.
It is the people that everyone in the community sees as the hands of the church, as Christ
in the world.
At the present time there are folks at Lawson UMC exploring new ministries that
will assist those in need in this community and beyond. As these opportunities are
presented to you, the congregation, listen with an open heart and mind and listen for God
to speak to you. Then answer by making that commitment to be involved. I encourage
you to be a part of the greatest team ever, God’s Team, the Church. Still
UNDEFEATED.