Another school year is just about upon us. I've had a great summer. I've had
some down time. I've had time with my family, travelling with them, camping
with my boys. I've had time to work through a few projects, like new workshops
on marriage and on pastors and elders. You'll hear more about these things in
the months ahead. I've had time to learn and be refreshed at a Doxology
workshop. I've had time with Higher Things conferences, an organization that
most definitely rejuvenates me and encourages me toward faithful ministry,
especially with respect to our youth.
I know, for many of you, the summer isn't much different than the rest of the
year. Work continues. Parenting continues, maybe even more intensely as we
care for our kids while they're out of school. Responsibilities continue,
whatever each person's unique responsibilities may be. Busy times are ahead
once again ahead. And it's ever so easy to get discouraged, distracted and
detoured from the responsibilities that God has placed upon us, even as we
carry out many of them.
Along with a new school year, Rally Day is upon us, scheduled for August 19th.
What's a rally? I went to dictionary.com to check the definition. Here's what I
found. A rally is defined as:
- 1. to bring into order again; gather and organize or inspire anew;
- 2. to draw or call (persons) together for a common action or effort; and
- 3. to concentrate or revive, as one's strength, spirits, etc.
All of these definitions are relevant to our intent in holding a "Rally Day" at Zion
Lutheran Church. Definition 1 is certainly in view as we re-organize for another
year of Sunday School and Bible study and hope to inspire others to gather with
us on a weekly basis as Christians under the Word of God. Definition 2 fits
because it really is a call to bring people together to share in our common faith,
as expressed in Holy Scripture. Definition 3 reminds me that every Bible Study
or Sunday School session is a "rally" to revive our strength and spirit as we are
fed by God's Word with Christ at the center.
My dear saints of Zion, our Bible study and Sunday School
attendance has waned this past year. Yes, we made a
major change in our Sunday worship and Sunday School
times. To adjust to such changes is not easy. As a pastor
and as a sinful human being (simultaneously!), I know it's
never possible to please everyone. Attending worship and
Bible study both take effort and growth on our part. We go not because we have to, but because of what God promises to do for us and to us in and through His Word.
He promises to forgive us, to strengthen us, to re-fashion us in the image of Christ. It's ever so easy to run
away from that.
In the midst of our responsibilities we have challenges as Christians and certainly as a congregation. Apart
from God's Word, anchored in the Gospel, we will never be prepared to face those challenges and to deal with
them together in a godly way. Apart from God's Word we are easy prey for the roaring lion, the devil. Apart
from God's Word, we are susceptible to every wind of teaching that blows through the culture and through
the church. And the winds are blowing, my friends!
Rally Day is upon us. May God the Holy Spirit rally us around Christ FOR US through His Holy Word, and
prepare us to meet the challenges of daily life, and prepare us and our children for life eternal in Christ Jesus.
Join us for Bible Study and Sunday School. God's Word will not return to Him empty, but will accomplish the
purpose for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11)!