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— Ephesians 4:1-8 Resource Archive: Newsletter Archives |
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Who would benefit from this issue? Pastors, church ministry coordinators, Christian education directors, stewardship teams, church councils, and any Christian seeking to discern a more effective use of their gifts.
A- Read: Ephesians 4:1-8
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love... (v.1-2) I grew up during the era of the NASA Mercury/Gemini/Apollo space flight programs. I remember watching black and white films of monkeys that had been launched into space and had returned safely. It was even more thrilling when the first U.S. astronaut, Alan Shepard Jr., journeyed into space. Throughout those years I kept a scrapbook saving articles that highlighted all the trials, errors, and celebrations of each of the space programs. Always the adventurer, I dreamed about being the first woman in space. However, one day reality hit when I realized that I probably didn't have the gifts that were required to get me there. An even bigger obstacles was my fear of flying -- a phobia that has taken me years to dispel. So my dreams of beoming an astronaut faded quickly. It's okay to have dreams, but when we ground ourselves in the calling that we have each received as Christians, reality can surpass dreams. Twenty-four years ago when I was ordained, I would have never guessed that I'd be doing some of the things that I actually do now: writing books, leading workshops, acting as the catalyst of systemic change in systems large and small. Yet I am doing the things that I have the gifts to do. In this lesson, Paul begs each of us to live "a life worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called." His words are both a blessing and a challenge as we minister in Christ's name in our congregations and in the world. As congregational leaders, we are not only called to use our gifts, but are called to empower others for ministry, too. O Creator God, help us to live worthy lives in service to you. Copyright © 2007 Susan M. Lang
2- LifeKeys Are you ready for some football? One day a man was watching a professional football game on television. His five-year-old son kept bothering him, so the man tore out a page of the Sunday paper. The full-page airline ad featured a photograph of the planet Earth, as seen from outer space. He ripped the page into a dozen pieces and gave them to his son, saying, "Here, put this picture together with adhesive tape and show Daddy how smart you are." He then went back to watching his football game. In a surprisingly short time, the youngster had taped the picture back together. It was not very neat, but it was a pretty good job. "Hey, that is amazing. How did you put that world together so quickly?" The boy said, "It was easy. Anyone could do it. There was a picture of a man on the other side. I just put the man together and then the whole world was together." What wisdom from someone so young. When the man is all together, his world is all together. How do we "put it all together?" How does the church help people discover their purpose and their gifts? What are the keys to life? Soren Kierkegaard wrote, "God has given each of us our 'marching orders.' Our purpose here on Earth is to find those orders and carry them out. Those orders acknowledge our special gifts." The Northwest Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America designed a unique regional approach to help congregations in this discovery process by using a curriculum called "LifeKeys." LifeKeys, developed by Jane Kise, David Stark, and Sandra Hirsh, helps people discover who they are, why they are here, and what they do best. LifeKeys is one of the foundations for the synod's Lay Academy of Missions, an organization whose purpose is to equip lay people to use their gifts for making Christ known. The Academy uses various learning experiences to equip, empower, and train lay people to serve their congregations and communities. The LifeKeys curriculum provides the basis for congregational members to identify their gifts and purpose within the church. The synod offers the material in multiple formats: weekend retreats, one-day workshops, and train-the-trainer events. Weekend retreats present a variety of themes five times a year, helping leaders from churches identify their strengths, talents, and passions. One-day workshops
give a taste of the material with the hope that the LifeKeys goes beyond work and careers by helping people see how they might add meaning and purpose to their lives. Based on the concept that there are NO ungifted people, LifeKeys gives five lenses for self-discovery: life gifts or talents, spiritual gifts, personality types, values, and passions. Specific tools and inventories reveal each of these five elements in a comprehensive and holistic approach. Upon completion of the course, people can see how all their gifts fit together in a way that brings harmony and balance to their lives. The Biblical basis for LifeKeys is Genesis 1:26-27 (we are all made in the image of God)and Ephesians 2:10 (we are God's workmanship, created for good works). By uncovering gifts, personality, values, and passions, people discover who they are in God, who they are meant to be, and what path God wants them to follow in using their own unique gifts. The class is more than just personality tests and spiritual inventories. The real strength is the 11x14 inch summary page where participants can see in one glance, aspects of themselves. For many people this creates a real sense of self and their place in God's creation, leading to service. One teacher wrote, "I could not believe the reaction from the attendees about this material. People have asked for the class to be offered again. The material has great stories and illustrations and is easy to use in a classroom setting." Another comment was, "It's fun, insightful and most people finish the class with a renewed sense of self-value. It is not a one-time event or a one-time small group study. LifeKeys empowers people to begin a process that will add meaning and purpose to life." Paul encourages us in Ephesians 4:1 to "lead a life worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called." The Northwest Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lay Academy of Mission is actively helping congregations identify that call through this program. For more information about this approach, contact the Lay Academy at www.nwos-elca.org or check out Lifekeys' website at http://www.lifekeys.com. Copyright © 2006 Jean Wise
Additional LikeKeys Resources
Throughout the summer, parishioners bring a variety of cut flowers and fresh vegetables from their gardens and place them on tables in our gathering area. A sign invites people to take what they’d like, and leave a donation for World Hunger in the basket provided. Containers for the flowers are obtained at garage sales and the local Good Will shop. People can keep them or return them the following week (for re-use) by placing them in a box provided under the table. Recycled supermarket paper and plastic bags are available for the vegetables. Rarely is anything left over, but when that happens it is brought to local shelters. The donations are deposited weekly in the church’s account, and one check is sent to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger Appeal. Copyright © 2006 Jeanne Philbrick
5 - RevWriter News
Financial Contributions Welcomed Due to the addition of new charges at my e-zine delivery system, this year it will cost me over $400 to produce and manage The RevWriter Resource. Writers of devotions and main articles have always been, and will continue to be, paid. In the past, this has come out of my personal writing income, but as this ministry continues to grow, the cost to me will also continue to increase. In the effort to maintain the ministry provided through the publication of The RevWriter Resource without requiring a subscriber's fee, I am now welcoming contributions from subscribers.
Most importantly, I appreciate your prayers as this ministry continues to grow during its fifth year in publication. Sue
About the author: RevWriter, Rev. Susan M. Lang, is an interim pastor and writer, residing in Pennsylvania. She is also the author of the Augsburg Fortress Congregational LEADER Series book entitled, "OUR COMMUNITY: Dealing with Conflict in Our Congregation." Revwriter Susan M.
Lang http://www.revwriter.com & http://www.suelang.com
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2007 revwriter.com - Susan M. Lang - All Rights Reserved
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