Glimpses of the Kingdom. . .
"We offer Christ, and food happens" has become the motto for our "Stone Soup Ministry."
(A brief history of the Stone Soup Ministry is in order . . . . after many months of a few folks taking a warm meal to Memorial Park, the City of Upland forced the meal service to move. It moved to Molly's Souper and then in July 2011 it moved into our Fellowship Hall. The first Saturday in the Hall we served 7 burritos with 15+ volunteers, and it was wonderful. Today we average 45-50 burritos served with 10-20 volunteers [we have served 75+ burritos]. I cannot tell you how deep the current pool of volunteers is because they now come from places beyond our congregation, neither can I tell you when it was officially named "Stone Soup." In addition to breakfast, Saturday mornings also involves the distribution and care of clothing, haircuts, and a weekly opportunity for fellowship with friends.)
From the beginning, the goal of the Stone Soup Ministry has been to reach into our surrounding community with the hands of Christ; in short, to offer Christ. This is simple evangelism that fulfills our mission as disciples to participate in the transformation of the world, and it is grounded in the conviction that our offering Christ is a faithful response to God offering Christ to us.
Keeping the whole thing simple also perpetuates the miracle of feeding, as there is always enough tortillas and ingredients to serve our delicious breakfast burritos, oatmeal, juice, coffee, milk, fruit, and sweets. Trusting that the resources will be available is an act of faith and you can feel the heart of Christ beating among all who come to participate. And, food happens.
Maintaining the focus of our discipleship on Christ is the key to meaningful ministry, including ministries we are already doing through this congregation. It looks and sounds like this
We offer Christ, and the budget happens
We offer Christ, and children laughing at Preschool happen
We offer Christ, and the roof repairs happen
We offer Christ, and quilts happen
We offer Christ, and Thanksgiving baskets and a meal happens
We offer Christ, and Bible study and learning happen
We offer Christ, and transformation happens.
It takes consistent and conscious efforts to not allow the focus to shift to the roof, or the money, or the time, or the list, or the sign-up sheet, or the hours, or the committee meeting, or the building, or the plants, or the class, or the age, or the tradition, or the pews, or the instrument, or the color, or the lights, or the program, or the dishes, or the kitchen, or the whatever-else-you-can-think-of. Our focus should always be on Christ first.
May this Season of Advent be a clear reminder that first and foremost, God offers Christ so that salvation happens.
Peace,
William