Dream Team Approaches Game Day

I am fan of college football. My dad was an even bigger fan. On game-day Saturdays, he would have two radios and the television all blaring at the same time. And he would have this great smile on his face. He was not interested in pro football. It was the drama of seeing all these young amateurs out there that is so riveting.

 Football is, in many ways, very complex. First, the players have to have natural gifts and abilities. Second, they must discipline themselves so their natural gifts reach a level of excellence. Third, they have to function together as a team. Fourth, they have to work hard to reach their goal. Finally, they have to listen to the coach. To me, this sounds like our discipleship.

1. God gives every one of us spiritual gifts. The world has so much pain and so many needs. God’s answer that God’s children have been blessed with gifts to meet those needs.

2. Having great abilities is not enough. We have to exercise our spiritual gifts as much as any great athlete. It is in the doing that we practice. We practice faith, hope, love, generosity, compassion, courage, grace, and goodness. We grow through practicing our discipleship. We have to use our gifts to develop excellence. Jesus wants disciplined disciples.

3. The church functions as a team. We dream the great dreams God gives us. Then we divide up the work. Like a football team, we have “routes” that each person has to run. When someone breaks down in their doing, the whole team suffers. When everybody does their part, we hit our goal.

4. It is not easy. It means hard work. Jesus suffered multiple times in his ministry. His suffering was love put into action. When we use this capacity for sacrificial love, new life happens for someone.

 5. We have to keep listening to God. Worship matters. We gather together to hear what God is saying to us together. It is where we get on the same disciplined team.

October 15 is our “Day of Discipleship.” We have dreamed up important mission projects to help people in our community. We want the whole church to sign up for a project, and get out and “run your route.” It will it make a difference in someone’s life. And it will be a tremendous time to be part of the big Westminster team.

Our theme is: “Dream it! Do It! Discipleship!” We’ve spent the first part of this fall talking about dreaming. Now its time for some doing. These projects are paid for by this year’s outstanding stewardship campaign. I am looking forward to the Day of Discipleship “game.” And I’m looking forward to the after-game celebration!

Warmly,

Andrew McDonald, pastor