Week 2 – Stir, Stir, Stir…

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. – Ephesians 4:11-13

When it comes to making tasty meals you probably know that ingredients matter. From vitamins and nutrients to sugar and acidity, it’s important to know what you’re using in your recipes at every meal and how each ingredient can impact the others and help to create the dish/meal you are creating.

The same goes for the life and mission of the church.  When God stirred us up as the church God brought us together – as individual ingredients to come together to make the final dish. This dish that we are invited to stir up together comes only when the gifts we have been given – as diverse and various as they are – are put together, stirred, stirred, and stirred to create the mixed-up pot that is the church.

Paul in Ephesians is speaking to the church who are drawing lines of who’s in and out, who matters and who doesn’t.  But Paul reminds them that God has brought them together in their diversity of gifts – like the parts of the body, like the ingredients of a soup – to come together for the fuller body.  None of the ingredients is enough by itself, and none of the ingredients are indispensable. All of the ingredients are necessary to live the life and mission we have been called to.

As we dive deeper into conversation and discernment around our financial stewardship, may be remember that ALL of our gifts – small or big; spicy or bland; crunchy or smooth – matter.  All that we offer matters and is vital for the life and ministry that God has brought us together for.  So put your gifts in and let’s give it a stir…God’s cooking up something amazing, and we get to be a part of that!

Stirring One, you have called us to share our gifts into the mix alongside of the gifts of others.  Help us give thanks for our gifts, big and small, sweet or spicy, and may we joyfully stir up what we offer together for the life and ministry you have called us into – together. Amen.

CTK GROWS - Who is God?

FOOD - FELLOWSHIP - FAITH FORMATION

You can't get any better than this. In CtK's new faith formation experience we will gather - ALL ages - for some time of fellowship, dinner (you don't have to cook - donations are appreciated!), and classes for all ages. All in six weeks; and then we'll repeat this in the Winter and in the Spring. So you can commit to growing your faith and the faith of your family, while still balancing all the other scheduling realities of today's world.  Click here to register for the Fall session of CtK Grows!