Hearing and Living God's Call to Discipleship ... Let Us Not Just Raise Our Hand but Be a Disciple

Here I Am, Lord has become a popular hymn for many Christians. Unfortunately, sometimes we are better at singing the hymn than living out the words we sing. During our worship service, we sing, "I will go, Lord. If you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart." When we leave the sanctuary, what we promise to do and actually do are two different things. Yes, we hear the cries and pains of others and really want to help but want to leave assisting others to the professionals. We have decided that discipleship is like professional sports. Some play, and others sit in the stands and cheer when things go right and boo when things go wrong. We are comfortable sitting in the pews and giving support to the professionals.

However, Jesus' call to discipleship was not an invitation to sit in the pew. Instead, Jesus calls us to be filled with God's word and charged up so that we are ready to make disciples when we leave the church. There are first teams, second, teams, and sometimes the third team in professional sports. In Christianity, everyone is on the first team.

Every day, we witness our words and actions. Sometimes making disciples happens when we listen to others, and at other times, we make disciples by sharing a kind word, warm smile, or act of kindness. Each one of us has a "Ministry of Presence." Yet, finding ways to be in a relationship with others is more challenging because we live in an ever-changing world. There are times when it is safer to remain in the pew than it is to reach out to others. Many disciples, laypersons and clergy alike, feel the need for help developing skills in "cultivating relationships" with friends, neighbors, family, and coworkers.

If you want to do more than sing "Here I am, Lord" and build relationships that lead others to a relationship with God and community, you're invited to the following:

The Ministry of Presence: Cultivating Relationships in an Ever-Changing World.

The workshop will be held via Zoom on February 26, 2022, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am CST.

The cost is $10 per person.

For more information, go to The Ministry of Presence: Cultivating Relationships in an Ever-Changing World where you can learn more about the event; George Howard, the workshop leader; and download a flyer to share with others.

To register, go to the workshop's Zoom registration form.

I hope you will take advantage of "The Ministry of Presence" workshop, which will help you and your church develop a lasting presence in your community.