PRACTICE

So, for those of you who don’t know me, I’m sort of a foodie. Outside of the Bible, my top favorite books are all cookbooks. My favorite shows revolve around food. My idea of the perfect date night is my husband taking me to the grocery store and telling me to pick out something fun to go home and make myself.

My kitchen is my happy place, a place of rest for me. The smell of homemade bread, freshly baked muffins, candy, cookies, cake, a pot of chili, homemade soup, or even bacon sizzling relaxes my soul. Are you hungry yet? I bet right now you are wishing you had brought that muffin to the beginning of leaders meeting to snack on J. But, baking and cooking are not only a stress reliever for me, it is also a way I enjoy showing love to others. Ironically, due to a food allergy most of what I make goes straight out the door into someone else’s home for them to enjoy. This brings me so much joy. Food is one of my love languages and I will admit 2020 has really put a damper on some of my ability to make and give food to others. But, through that God has challenged me to show my love and care for others in different ways.

Each one of you has a unique love language. A way you love to be cared for and a way you love to care for others. I know that I have personally experienced love from many of you personally over the years. A hug, homemade candle, a simple message, a note that you are praying, a Bible verse, a card in the mail, are all just quick ways to say that you haven’t forgotten- that that person matters to you and to God.

As a leadership, we have the privilege of loving and caring for one another. Spurring one another on towards maturity in Christ. Obviously, this year has brought unique challenges when it comes to caring for and connecting with one another. The casual, brief, conversations before and after leaders meeting and class day are no longer a simple easy way to check in and care for those in our leadership. We don’t have our leadership circle where we can share quick prayer requests with those sitting around us.

But, just because it is no longer easy or even our preferred way of showing love- we can still care for each other. Through the gift of technology, you can send a quick slack message, a text message, an email, or even make a quick phone call- just to check in. Snail mail does still exist and I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone complain about the personal card they received in the mail.

Don’t let the upheaval of 2020 steal your ability to love and care for each other. Now more than ever people are feeling isolated and alone. Maybe you are the one feeling isolated and lonely and longing for connection. I can assure you that you are not alone.

Your staff team and shepherd leaders love and care about each of you. We are still here for you. We care for you and we spend time praying for each of you. Our desire is to see a leadership that cares for one another. When we cultivate deep relationships with other believers it helps us have a deeper relationship with God and spur us on to maturity in Him. Relationships take work and effort to keep them going. But I can assure you that it is worth it.

Don’t underestimate the power of a caring word. A simple text. A private slack message. Or a card in the mail.

So, who in our leadership circle is God putting on your heart this week?

· Maybe it’s someone you used to talk to every week at leaders meeting and God is nudging you to check in.

· Maybe it’s a leader you have never really connected with but God is asking you to reach out.

· Maybe it’s a leader who is new to our leadership circle and you haven’t had an opportunity to say hello, welcome, we are so glad you are here.

· Maybe you are a new leader and God is prompting you to take a step of faith and reach out to another leader to initiate and build that connection.

I know that that initial conversation may not feel organic or natural. But don’t let that stop you. Group leaders: you know that sometimes that first time calling your ladies can feel awkward- but over time as that relationship builds you get to know them and it is no longer awkward or forced.

You don’t have to deliver a homemade gift basket to show you care for someone. And yes, this is something I have to remind myself of all the time. Our AT and HQ continuously remind our staff team to keep things simple. God can work through simple. My prayer is that as a leadership we would show our compassion for people by building one another up- by simply taking that first step to reach out and connect.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says: “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” You are here listening to me talk right now…. You are meeting together and. You have not given up on that. Praise God for your perseverance... So now, let’s encourage and build one another up in Christ.

Jeannette is now going to give us our doctrine talk…