Pastor’s Ponderings July 2024
To the church of God as found at Marion Salem Church, called to be saints together with those in every place who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: You are miracles of God’s grace and mercy!
You would not have guessed it with how much I utilize Facebook for ministry now, however many years ago I greatly resisted joining Facebook. I honestly did not see the point of it 14 years ago. Yet, many of the students in my youth ministry at the time were begging for me to join and getting on Facebook enabled me to reach out to new students and opportunities. Since then, I have found Facebook to be a great way of networking with other pastors and ministry colleagues as well as keeping in touch with extended family.
Early on while starting to use Facebook I saw it as more of a ministry tool than as a personal outlet. So as friends started have birthdays and Facebook would remind me, I realized that it was an opportunity for ministry. Why just say “Happy Birthday!” when I could also share a Bible verse as well. Thus began a long tradition for me of sharing a verse on Facebook when I shared birthday greetings. The passage was an opportunity to encourage someone to open a Bible and read because I would only leave the reference. For years I shared the same verse, John 3:30. It was the theme verse for my youth group as a teenager. After starting seminary I realized that I should share other passages, so each year at my birthday I look for a new passage.
As time has gone on, I added to this by using a card ministry as well for members of the congregation I serve. This actually happened by accident. The congregation I served at the time was doing some cleaning and we found hundreds of old birthday and anniversary cards. Instead of letting them go to waste, I utilized the church database and started sending out cards—including the Bible verse. Why else would the church office need your birthdates and anniversary than to send you greetings? It’s been a fruitful ministry as a means of touching base with members. I’ve seen “long lost members” return to worship. Who doesn’t love to receive good mail?
So as we enter July it is time for a new Bible verse. As I was reading my devotions a few weeks ago, this passage came off the page: Philippians 3:13-14 (again I’ll encourage you to look it up). This past year has been one of major accomplishment for me personally. I have finally been ordained as an Elder, something I have spent the last 16 years working towards. However, I do not consider this an arrival or destination. Far from it! I am working diligently in ministry just as much now as I did before. However, as the passage says “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” — that speaks to me! I hope it encourages everyone in this coming year too. Forget about the bumps and curves of our history, there is a prize before us in Christ that we get to keep working towards. No arriving in this life. That’s not a bad thing-it’s a purpose to live for until eternity.
Blessings!
Jason
