2019-02-24 – I am a Member series – Part 5 – The Rev. Christopher M. Klukas
Isaiah 61:1-4; Psalm 96 (ACNA); Romans 10:9-17; John 20:19-31
- Vision Statement: “Loving our neighbors” “Share God”
- The ACNA Committee on Catechesis recognized two different “pathways” for discipleship in the church.
- The first, “liturgical catechesis” or “catechesis from the font” was the normative pattern in the Christendom era of the last 1700 years or so.
- The second, “catechetical evangelism” or catechesis from the “front porch” is the pathway for those who have grown up with no experience of the Gospel or church. This has been the pattern in mission areas.
- In our present situation, we now have both.
- Covenant – “5. Present my children and those I have led to the Lord for baptism and confirmation;”
From the Font
- Deuteronomy 6
- Holman Bible Dictionary – “The home was considered the first and most effective agency in the education process, and parents were considered the first and most effective teachers of their children…”
- “…Primary ways of imparting religious knowledge to children were example, imitation, conversation and stories. Parents could utilize the interest aroused in their children by actual life observances such as Sabbath or Passover to teach about God.”
- Ephesians 6:1-4 – The new testament instruction about raising children in the faith.
- Values – “Family – The Church is the family of God and it is made up of many families, each of which is a little church. The family is intended to be the first place we encounter God, and we view parents as the primary disciplers of their children. We encourage regular worship, prayer, and the study of the Scriptures in our homes (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 1 John 3:1).”
- Parents are primarily responsible for the discipleship of their own children, but they are not alone. The church is supposed to surround the parents, teaching them how to disciple their children, and giving them a network of other adults to help provide a second witness to the faith.
- Engage training
- Whether you have children at home or not, it is important to practice your faith daily with the people you live with, whether a spouse, a family, or Christian roommates.
- George Herbert – “Seven whole days not one in seven, I will praise thee”
From the Front Porch
- Values – “Outreach – As Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ among our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. It is our responsibility and privilege to be laborers in the Lord’s harvest, introducing people to God, drawing them into the fellowship of the Church, and equipping them to reach Christian maturity and share their faith with others (2 Corinthians 5:20, Luke 10:2).”
- We may not all have the spiritual gift of evangelism, but we are all called to evangelize.
- For some of you, this might be a scary thought.
- Evangelism doesn’t necessarily mean standing on street corners and handing out tracts to strangers.
- Michael Frost, Surprise the World: The Five Habits of Highly Missional People
- Bless others, some of whom are not Christians
- Eat with others, some of whom are not Christians
- Listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice
- Learn Christ – you need to know Jesus to share Jesus
- Sent – Identify yourself as a missionary, as one who is sent
- Romans 10:14-15 – “How will they hear unless someone preaches to them. How will they preach unless they are sent.”
- It is the Church’s job to send. The Church sends and supports missionaries, the Church also sends and supports each individual member in their own work of spreading the good news.
- Covenant – “14. Devote myself to the ministry of Christ among those who do not know Him, utilizing the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives me, for the effective extension of Christ’s Kingdom.”
- Spiritual gifts workshop coming up on March 16.
- Your gifts are meant to be used to build up the kingdom!
- The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. You have been sent, by Christ, with a mission! Where is God sending you this week?
