We continue to make good progress in our Christian Education program under the creative leadership of Bobbi Ehrgood, our Director of Christian Education. Bobbi works for us 20 hours per week. Check that, Bobbi gets paid by us for 20 hours per week. She actually works much more than that because she is so conscientious about her ministry. I am often telling her to stop, go away, get outa here, shoo in the name of Jesus! Sometimes she listens to me. Yes, she fits right in here at APUMC.
Several of our members have made major commitments to serve our children and youth in the area of Christian Education. We are all grateful for their service. However, several more servants are needed to step up and serve. I have heard it said that Audubon Park UMC loves her children and youth, but to be perfectly honest, I don't really believe that. It might have been true in the past, but the current reality is that we cannot find a church member who is willing to teach even one Discipleship Hour youth class, let alone two (for Jr. & Sr. Hi's). Nor can we find anyone (preferably several) to lead a youth program. And we can use more people to teach children's Discipleship Hour.
I am not writing this to scold or to guilt anyone into Christian service. I believe that truth-telling is the key to all Christian relationships. Jesus told us that we must "know the truth and the truth will set us free." But first it will unsettle us, then it will set us free, if we deal with it honestly and honorably. We must ask ourselves: Do we want to grow young disciples here? Do we want the opportunity to serve young families in our church? Are we willing to struggle with the realities that make communicating the gospel to people under the age of 30 today a daunting task? Children and Youth Ministry are only two of the many places the Church is foundering as it tries to serve the changing culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. No easy answers, quick fixes, or past models will suffice. Remember Christ's comment about pouring new wine into old wineskins? Praying pioneers are needed to find our way into the hearts and minds of our younger brothers and sisters. Nothing will happen, nothing good anyway, unless people heed Christ's call, "Follow Me."
Well, thank you for reading the Pastor's "Rant of the Week." I have asked Bobbi Ehrgood to write brief descriptions of the new and revised Wow Now!, our children's time during worship, and the Discipleship Hour children's experience we are calling B.L.A.S.T.! Please take the time to read about these creative programs in this Evangel.
Please talk to Bobbi and me if you want to join in the ministry with our children and youth.
See you in church, APUMC!
Pastor Carl