No-Guilt Ministry
Welcome to the new Message!
After hours of researching, brainstorming, and planning, our Communications
and Media Manager, Greg Roberts, has designed a new and outstanding Message
magazine. The purpose of the Message remains clear: to inspire, educate,
and unify the Open Bible family. We will continue to inform you on how God is
working in Open Bible throughout the world, bring you inspiring testimonies,
and challenge you in your Christian walk. However our format has been updated
to reach our current culture. Let us know what you think.
One of our goals in this issue is to help you find joy in your commitment to
your local church. Churches can demand much from people, especially in terms
of time. Granted, most people could become more involved in church ministries
and lighten the load for everyone. Nonetheless, sometimes lay people (not just
pastors!) become overworked and “burned out.” What is an appropriate
balance?
One evening as I sat in church for the second time that day the thought struck
me, What about all the people outside the church? Who’s reaching out to
them? Am I like the Levite and the priest in the parable of the Good Samaritan
(Luke 10:25-37)?
I never seemed to have time for my neighbors. I saw them only long enough to
wave on my way out the driveway – often on the way to church!
My husband and I did some soul-searching. Had we read Brian Stanley’s
article, “Too Committed?” (page 4), or taken Glen Moyer’s
quiz (page 8), it would have helped us tremendously in this process.
At the start of this New Year, I challenge you to prayerfully examine your priorities.
You may find you are critical and apathetic in your Christian life because you
have sat back and watched everyone else serve for too long. Or you may find
you are riddled with guilt because of your own expectations – not those
of your Heavenly Father.
As for my husband and me, we have cut back in several areas of our lives, including
some church activities. In fact, this is an area we reevaluate on a consistent
basis. With our time designated to specific outreaches to which we feel drawn,
our
focus is clearer, our bodies energized, our joy more complete.
If you have comments or article ideas, especially testimonies, e-mail me at
Message@openbible.org.
May God bless you abundantly throughout this year!
Andrea Johnson,
Managing Editor,
Message of the Open Bible