From inside out

Hans Växby, March 2010 
By now the People called United Methodists know pretty much about the Eurasian Road that will lead the goal we want to achieve by 2015. “We see the United Methodist Church in 2015 dynamically growing, recognized in the society, and helping people to become committed Christians.” We can even describe some of the things that characterize the road: Quality in ministry, Education, Self-sufficiency, Mission, evangelism, growth, and Social service.

What is important now is that we check the map from time to time – and stay on the way!

Quality in ministry

The five descriptions of the Eurasian Road are actually headings. At the big Road Mapping session in last August, all creative ideas and God-inspired thoughts were gathered into key words to summarize certain areas.
Under “Quality in ministry” you could identify two main concerns. First, there needs to be depth and substance in all we do in our churches. “If the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” Matthew 5:13 Second, only the best is good enough for God and his church. We must not leave the things we do to routine and carelessness. “My beloved, be… always excelling in the work of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
It is obvious that the two aspects of quality go together, and we need to address both with the same seriousness. Quality comes from inside out, but it does not mean that the visible and practical things we do in church and with the church are secondary. Rather, the way we prepare and perform our ministry mirrors the depth of our faith and commitment.

Signposts on the road

From this month on you will find small “signposts” on our website on a regular basis. There are in all 18 short pieces about our worship, how we welcome visitors and how we invite people. They will be published every second Monday, with a little break over the summer vacation time. In the beginning of the same week, all our pastors will also receive an e-mail with the same Signpost.
My suggestion is that you read the Signpost out loud in the worship service on the Sunday. I would like not only the pastors and other leaders, but all members and churchgoers to think about these things. If we are serious about the quality of our ministry, all of us need to pay attention to it.
After all in the church have heard the Signpost, find an opportunity or two to talk about it. Do you agree? How is this in our church? What can we do to reach and keep a good quality in this particular area?
You can also blow up the text a little and place it on the billboard for everyone to read. Maybe you want to collect them; together they will form a useful manual to go back to and check from time to time.

But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. James 2:18