St Mark's Church - Colchester

What does it take for a church to function? Finance team, governance, admin, vision, pastoral visiting - every behind the scenes aspect as well as the up the front stuff that is visible. Preaching at and leading the Sunday gathering are not the only ministries – administration is a biblical ministry.

Every one of us has God-given spiritual gifts as well as our talents, knowledge and skills - He has intentionally chosen and gifted you for a fulfilling adventure with him – but we are responsible for using, advancing and investing what he has given us. Stewarding our talents well is really important, and that means recognising what we have been given (rather than what is missing), rejoicing in it and putting it to work.

Think of the great commission as Jesus speaking to those he had discipled (eating together… walking together… he taught, affirmed and corrected them before sending them out and asking how it went – he grew them) and saying to them “Now go and have the type of relationship I’ve had with you, with other people”.

Every Christian is a disciple of Jesus. A disciple is a learner, someone who is intentionally investing in their relationship with God – and that investment is heart, soul and mind - prayer, reading scripture and spending time with God are simple ways we can grow daily as followers of Jesus.

Each one of us is part of the body of Christ, and without our part, the body is lacking. Recapping barriers that exclude like a volunteer-paid divide, sacred-secular divide or a clergy-lay divide and connecting with the idea that we wouldn’t buy a pie and throw 97% of it away.

Jesus teaches us how and where to wait. He invites us to be present to the One who is always already present. He also invites us to listen for the knock, to watch, and to be alert. This is the God who is present in the ordinary circumstances of our lives, even in our waiting.

Pearson reminds us that the wind will blow and the rain will come because the sea is choppy, but He who gives us hope is with us.

How is your relationship with God? And how does that relationship encourage you to ask, seek and knock?

Adrian reminds us why we need to spend time with God, listening to what He is saying, and resting in His presence.