Advent Lutheran Church - Mentor, OH - Pastor's Corner

The Natural Church Development process is currently being used to help our church family get stronger by addressing our weakest point.   For Advent, that growth area was "passionate spirituality", and one aspect of passionate spirituality was the sharing of faith stories.    Several weeks ago, in an effort to further explore this aspect of our faith-life, a questionnaire was conducted in which we explored the congregation’s thoughts about faith sharing and story telling.   We would like to share some of the results:

We received 24 responses.   Of those, most people indicated that faith sharing was important.   Respondents also were moderately comfortable in sharing their faith.    The written answers provided much insight into barriers that keep us from sharing our faith as well as several ideas for ways that we can improve this area as a congregation.    If you would like to see a compilation of the results, printed copies are available in the narthex.

Overall, it seems that sharing a faith story was something that the congregation was interested in, but we needed some examples and instruction to help us in doing it.   One big way in which we will focus on storytelling is the presence of Jim Kulma as Storyteller in Residence starting in Advent (through the second Sunday of Easter).   Jim will provide some examples of faithful Biblical storytelling, both based on the Bible and on our own personal stories.   He will also work with a group to further develop these skills and overcome some of the barriers that keep us from sharing our faith.   In addition, you may have noticed the devotional booklet for the Advent season that was recently compiled.   These devotions were largely composed by Advent’s members and are a great way to share one’s faith story with others.   We hope to have even more contributions as we compile a similar set of devotions for Lent.   Watch for other opportunities to come!

Here are the results from our survey:

How do you most commonly share your faith story?
Words: 11; Hugs: 8; Service: 12; Arts: 4; Other: 3

Try to show with my daily actions, too

Acts

By telling about my faith journey

In the course of conversation

Conversation or as an example

Support/cards. Phone calls.

Teaching, songs, hands on storytelling

Relate a time someone shared a faith story with you

Nearly every week, it's fantastic, encouraging

When I was going through a tough time

Maybe about a week ago

I don't remember a time

Happens often in small group studies - these shared times are very uplifting

In bible study

Sunday school

A teacher in high school encouraged bible study

Several have occurred, mostly in small settings

During the war my father prayed for his family and self

I was a little child and my dad explained to me who Jesus was.

Testimony at a church service

Eva C. is a living faith story

Chris N., Catherine R., Marie K., & Linda B.

Ms. P. by her example when I was a college student.

Cheryl M. and her strong conviction of faith.

Pastor Joe shared faith through inspiration

What barriers exist that keep you from sharing your faith story with those around you?

Not sure how it will come across and don't want them to feel uncomfortable

Not turning them off - a fine line exists!

I don't know, maybe making people uncomfortable

Unresponsiveness from others, not caring at all

Listener's walls

Gossip, criticism, anonyminity not kept

Fear of rejection

Fear of appearing as a hypocrite People will think I am nuts! I am nuts for Jesus!

Fear of being laughed at or I don't think I have a faith story - what does it mean?

Shyness, fatigue, sometimes apathy

Being shy

I feel I have more to know and learn and accept

Opportunity

Work

School and some kids

Not sure if they want to hear my story, so I feel my actions speak better than words

When one from another faith cannot see there are other religions

I don't want to force them to believe, but I want them to find it on their own

Not wanting to impose my beliefs on them

What can the Advent community do to better aid you in storytelling and faith sharing endeavors?

Maybe in Sunday School they could show us techniques. Not sure

Teach how to story tell

Techniques on how to do it better.

Give hope and practical examples

Roundtables, discussions, gatherings

Share faith stories as models

Give members opportunities to share their faith during worship in lieu of sermon

Allow time during worship (before or after) for those who want to share

Keep pushing and sharing the good news and offer forums to share

Advent having the same philosophy and being the same example - leaders taking the lead and doing this!

Not sure, trying to share with youth as I was inspired by Ms. P. - no buy-in or commitment

Asking to be included

Don't know, more sharing and making people feel comfortable when they've had a "god moment" or when God has spoken to them.

Everyone does a good job!

Have a fair, letting the community and Advent sell their crafts.

Other comments?

Everyday we all share our faith story by what we do, although most people are not aware of that fact. We don't share because "what would people think if they knew that about me" gotta keep the secrets. I am a MAN! We should have our own book of faith, what Christ has done for each of us in our lives.

Communication should be kept up on a timely basis. We all have schedules to keep. Outside missions are well to assist. But we have forgotten our other sisters and brothers in our own church home.

Time, life is traveling at warp speed - trying to balance full time jobs, raising of children, and household and extended family issues - very difficult and discouraging at times. Trying not to get depressed. Staying positive and continuing not to let business interfere in taking time to pray.

I think people should give more money to the church. Otherwise, I'm euphoric!

We've talked about this for years - are we going to finally do it?

We've been trying to do this since Healing Touch was formed.

I'm happy to be a member of Advent Lutheran Church.

The Natural Church Development Task Force on Faith Sharing and Biblical Storytelling and Pastor Kovitch
(January 2009)

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I share with you share with you a more intentional invitation to join the joy of our ministry.   Through the Natural Church Development initiative we recognize that through prayerful reflection, an awareness that we have a story to tell of what God is doing in our lives, a desire to know who we are as Lutheran Christians in the 21st century, creating a loving community, care for our leadership and leadership development as we grow into a stronger ministry for God.   Here is a description of some of our ministries:

The congregation shall have the following Ministry Teams:

a. Christian Education

The Christian Education Ministry Team is to provide the Advent family with ongoing spiritual growth through faith, worship, and instruction.   To develop biblical understanding within a safe environment through enriching programs that teach about Christ, encourage Godly living, and Christian leadership and witness.

b. Worship and Music

The Worship and Music Ministry Team will keep central the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the Word, and the Sacraments, as we express our worship through varied styles that witness to the Church’s unity and diversity to the Glory of God.   It will continue to RESTORE the congregation with Confession and Forgiveness; FEED the people with Word and Sacrament; and EMPOWER them for ministry in daily life.

c. Witness

The Witness Ministry Team will provide opportunities for old and new members to become more committed to their faith and each other through Jesus Christ by spreading the gospel through programming and member involvement.

d. Finance

The Finance Ministry Team will be good stewards of the church’s finances, by overseeing all financial happenings of the church and providing input to keep the church with a positive or neutral balance by developing, monitoring, maintaining and communicating ongoing church finances throughout the year.

e. Stewardship of Life

The Stewardship Ministry Team will ensure that all members of Advent have the opportunity to be good stewards through the offering of their time, talents and treasures in support of our mission, ministries and each other.

f. Community Outreach

The Community Outreach Ministry Team (aka Advent's Service Team) will continue to look for new ways to reach out to both local and global communities while maintaining current outreach programs and initiatives.   We will reach as many of God's children as possible to show them that in their time of trouble there is God's love reaching out to them to show that they are part of His world.

g. Property

The Property Ministry Team will be good stewards of the church’s physical status, utility, and usage needs by overseeing all physical requirements of the church, and to provide input to keep a positive environment in the church.

h. Youth and Family

The Youth and Family Ministry Team will encourage family unity with spiritual wholeness by advocating youth and family needs into established activities and creating new opportunities.

i. Fellowship

The Fellowship Ministry Team will promote the events that provide companionship within a spirited environment that involves team planning with lots of laughter and a mixture of sharing, caring, and getting to know one another within our church and community.

j. Technology

The Technology Ministry Team will monitor and maintain the electronic equipment in our church so that we can operate and perform to our highest ability, including new ways to reach out through our web site to show the word of God.

k. Health and Wellness

The Health & Wellness Ministry is a caring ministry team that promotes a holistic approach to health and well-being that is centered on God, balanced in faith, and connected to others through the love of Jesus Christ.   It seeks to promote the maintenance of a healthy Christian lifestyle through education of all age groups within the congregation and offer programs that will reach out to the community.

Take the time to discover how God can use you at Advent!

In His service,

Pastor Kovitch
(March 2009)

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

We enter a journey of Lenten confession of our brokenness after a season of Epiphany that has revealed our need for a Savior in the midst of our sin.   Take this time to humble yourself and choose how you will live.   I have an aunt, who upon finishing her bout with chemotherapy for breast cancer, threw a party to celebrate life.   She hired a band, invited friends & neighbors, and shared food, all to celebrate life in the face of death defining moments.   Those who seek a carefree life with no danger, toils, and snares are living a life on the run and afraid to live.   For those who live with challenges, struggles, and risk know the exhilaration of overcoming and living on the edge of the unknown, you are to be embraced, so strike up the band and let’s party.    Life is a choice and many of us die even before we live.   Some exist as spiritual hypochondriacs, worried about the slightest change and afraid of impending doom.   "We’re all going to die!" some say, with the panic of those already dead.   There are those who know that we are not in control of our lives and deaths, who have faced mortality through cancer, or accident, or death of a friend.   They come through with a steeled resolve to take life by the hand and dance and party-- for we are alive.   We can stare death in the eyes and smile and embrace death and make peace with death and let go and carry on liberated to know death has no power over our living.   We live in a culture of fear and death and it is our choice whether we simply react in kind or proactively find another path.   Here is where faith, hope, and love become the greatest gift for living and joining the joy that can overcome any terror that flies by night.   A revolution of life that welcomes all to the party of life, as we share all our stories of overcoming fear and death-- for each of us has a story to tell.   Every day we live has the potential for life or death and it is how we dance that will determine what we choose.   Someone once told me that courage is fear that has said its prayers, and so we live for braver times.

I too am faced with a choice in my personal life and that choice is found in a question, "Am I the sum of my infirmities?"   That is, if I am paralyzed does that mean my soul, heart, mind, hope, joy, love, my very identity are paralyzed too?   If I have cancer in my cells does that mean I have cancer in my mind?   If I have grief does that mean I become grief?   No.   I am of the belief that what doesn’t kill us makes us strong and that every aspect of our lives past, present, and future has a purpose to play in making us who we are and that it is up to us whether we see or not.   I know that fear and anxiety blind us to purpose and opportunity.   It is up to us whether we see life as an adventure to live or a path to living a phobia filled dying.   Fear will be with us, but know that we can use it as the fuel of faith.   Worry will assail us, but use it as a way to hope.   Despair and surrender crouches at our door, but choose to answer the knock with an invitation to come on in and join the party and they will flee.   Throw open the doors and windows of your lives, tear down the walls built by disease and throw a party for life.   Invite your friends and compare your scars and tell the story of how you faced your Goliaths and survived the battles by the skin of your teeth.   Compare notes and smile at the days to come.   Then go out and invite those who are afraid of venturing out, trapped in the darkness, and say to them, "you are not alone…come on let’s party."

There is something to the words, "been there, done that, got the scars to prove it!"    Life is a joyous journey of risk and discovery, of no pain no gain.   Life is a moment by moment proposition so learn from the past and anticipate the future.    Death comes to us all.   The question is how we will live.   And we get to that question by making peace with our death and celebrating life in the face of it all.   Remember that life is a journey of balance and hope in the face of despair, it is truly a great adventure and an occasion to celebrate.

Nehemiah 8:9-12

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep."   For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.   10 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."   11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved."   12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

Pastor Kovitch
(February 2009)