Deep Discipleship
Friday, June 5, 2009 at 11:19PM Wow - last year the Commission on Education and Discipleship, of which I am the moderator and hence here at Synod, sent a paper to General Synod describing our vision of discipleship as deep and rich. And tonight Wes beautifully articulated that vision. I am reminded again that mostly through story we recognize deep discipleship - stories of Church of the Saviour, and stories in revitalizing congregations who empower and nurture people to discover God at work in their lives and to use their gifts to serve others. Rich Sankofa journeys and Iglesia Reformada Dominicana--the Reformed Church of the Dominican Republic--are all evidence of deep and rich discipleship. It was an awesome evening of celebrating so much more than we could ever imagine. (And I love to hear Ken Bradsell share stories of God and baptism and get a quiver in his voice. He is a great announcement giver - but really the passion with which he shared tonight about his experience with the Iglesia Reformada Dominicana - priceless.)
And as Wes ended - "Let us embrace the whole gospel, with our whole lives, for the whole world. Let us commit from the depths of our hearts, to be disciples of Christ."
God's Peace, Deb
[The General Secretary's Report is available on the RCA web site.]
Deb Swanson
Oh - And June 5 is my birthday - my life work affirmed - not a bad way to celebrate!
Deb Swanson
Please be in prayer for the Voskuil family tonight. Dennis Voskuil's daughter, Elizabeth is in Spectrum Hospital. Dennis is a delegate here and had to leave. I have no more details. Dennis' son Karsten is my friend and colleague at Trinity.
Reader Comments (2)
My prayers are with the Voskiul Family.
Interesting to read your blog about stories. I was just reading last evening about the importance of our stories. The author wrote that if our personal stories are sad, broken, and damaged, Jesus will help us write a new story for our life.. 'Then, we will have a new story to share with others that is perhaps richer because Jesus used part of our old story and made it shining new.
Share your stories with each other at Synod - All will be blessed by the sharing!
Add our prayers to those offered for the Voskuil family.
Blessings,
David Vandervelde