40 Days of Prayer & Discernment | Days 6 - 12

“He joins and holds together the whole body with its ligaments providing the support needed so each part works to its proper design to form a healthy, growing, and mature body that builds itself up in love.”
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-Ephesians 4:16 (The Voice)

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the very first clergy meeting for the newly formed Southwestern District of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church. It was an uplifting two hours of fellowship, worship, and learning spent at First UMC of Jackson, TN with fellow colleagues who serve other congregations in local church ministry throughout the Volunteer State.

Our new District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Jathnaiel Cavitt, shared a message with us which was based on Ephesians 4:1-16, and he used the imagery of a tapestry being woven together to help connect our thoughts to the scripture. We were reminded that before the act of weaving can begin, tension between the strands must first exist.

I know that during this time, we may feel tense or anxious about the next steps we will take as a church family. But I trust that God will work in the midst of that tension, that God will weave together a new thing amongst us, and that God will bind us together in love - that we might consider ourselves interwoven by grace.

And I pray that we may open our hearts and minds to discover this type of interwoven grace beyond the walls of our church building - to count ourselves as one strand in the great tapestry of our District, our Conference, our Denomination, and yes - the Kingdom of God here on this planet.

Dr. Cavitt shared something at the very beginning of his message that has stuck with me: “The strength of the Church is not merely within us, it’s also between us.”

We know from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that the power of the Holy Spirit flows through us, but we have also seen how the Spirit brings different congregations together to address common goals, to supply scholarships for deserving students, to provide disaster relief for communities in need, and to speak out against injustices and evil which exist in our world.

It may be cliché to state that we are “stronger together” - various political campaigns and corporate advertisements have used this language as well.

But with the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through us, and the grace of God weaving us together, we truly are stronger, better, and more faithful when we work together and worship Jesus as the one who transforms our independent strands by weaving us into a beautiful tapestry.

As we journey through these 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment, I ask that you consider the spiritual gifts and talents found within our faith community. How is God using us to build up the Kingdom of Heaven?

​After you've given that some thought, look around our city to other places of worship and ask how God not only works within us but also between us.

+Pastor Kris Roof

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August 17 - Ephesians 4:11-12 states: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up... Which of these roles do you most closely identify with - Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, or Teacher?

August 18 - Before the act of weaving can begin, tension between the strands must first exist... What tension or anxiety are you currently feeling? How might God work to create something beautiful in the midst of that tension?

August 19 - Consider all the gifts and skills found within our faith community - what does it mean for each part to work to its proper design? What can we achieve together when each member of our body fully utilizes their God-given talents?

August 20 - How is God at work between the churches in our town? What opportunities exist for us to partner with other congregations towards a shared goal or ministry?

​August 21 - As a United Methodist congregation, we belong to a larger connection and network of local churches throughout our denomination. How have you or your family been impacted by that connection of shared resources and ministry?

August 22 - What does the phrase "Stronger Together" mean to you? Have you seen this idea lived out - if so, what role did you play in the effort? How can we be more faithful together?

August 23 - What do you imagine is God's desire for Peace Tree? How can we live into God's preferred future for our congregation?

This week's Coffee with Kris & Harry will be held at Carrington Oaks Coffeehouse. Feel free to drop by between 10:00am and 12:00 Noon for conversation & prayer.