Prove It
I really love the beginning of new semesters. I love it as the weather starts to get more comfortable to be out in. I love the energy and excitement (per se) as students come back and gear up for a new year. I love the opportunity that it brings to reconnect with people after a busy summer.
But what really excites me is the uncertainty. You know, the feeling that comes when you enter a new grade or start a new position or a new job. And I think that is what is exciting about our new campaign, Prove it. I include myself in this conversation because I, along with many other churches and Christ-followers, have slipped into spiritual nominalism. Church is just a ritual and, as one of my fellow associates put it today, we come without expecting much. But, as one reads into the life and ministry of Jesus, we see that for Christ, words and affirmation weren’t enough for Him. They were important, but Christ constantly challenged his followers to prove that they love Him. For example, Christ told the man who wanted to follow Jesus but wanted to bury his dead father first, “No, let the dead bury the dead. Follow me NOW”. I think the necessity for change is among us. It is time that we prove to each other, those around us, and the cities we live in who we say we are. And with that brings great uncertainty. It’s exciting and scary all at the same time. But it’s NEEDED. We need to start bringing the church to those outside of the walls instead of expecting them to come in. It’s not about programs, it’s about people. It’s time to do radical things that get messy with those around us as we get to know and care for them. But it’s not just love, it’s love with a message from the creator of love.
This week, we examined the life of Barnabas and how he was a true Son of Encouragement. It was because of Barnabas’ encouragement that we have the gospel of Mark and Paul’s epistles. We must give honest and specific encouragement to each other, both the people we don’t know well and the people we know intimately. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s what we are called to do and displays true hope. So the challenge this week is this…find someone you don’t know at all or don’t know well. Start up a conversation with them (neighbor, waiter, waitress, etc…) and get to know them a bit. Then, during or at the end of the conversation, give them a specific word of encouragement that ministered to you and watch the response. We will be discussing that this Sunday and we invite you to join us at 9:30 in the Activities Building of Southern Hills UMC in Lexington, KY as we learn what in means to be the Church.
P.S. – Just for the record, I also love the beginning of semesters because it means NFL and fantasy football are close at hand… 
