06/03/2026
Welcome to Words for Wednesday!
Prepared by Stuart Cunningham
You can reach Stu via email: [email protected]
Good morning!
May your day be filled with sunny smiles and happy thoughts. Embrace this new day with hope and a positive spirit.
“If you’re in an impossible situation and don’t know what to do, maybe it’s time to rise up in faith and speak to the Mountain, which stands in your way.” Susie Larson.
Reference: Mark 11:23 – 25.
During the previous three or four years, there is evidence to support that many congregants have rejected the idea that worship takes place on a weekly basis in a church building, where the focus is on what happens within the walls of that same building.
Since your last visioning activity, how has the community closest to your church building changed?
What issues does your city face? Excluding fund raisers, how does your faith community reach out to your community?
Currently, I must admit that I know less about the needs and composition of the community surrounding my faith community.
Why do so many people, especially young people and young families believe that organized religion(church?) is no longer relevant?
Sign in the entry of a church building, “The Ten Commandments aren’t optional.” Confession: on some days, I struggle to obey certain commandments, while ignoring some others completely (1 Corinthians 1:10) What is your opinion of these words? “Our call and vision statement speaks to how we boldly embody the Christian story in this time, filled with the certainty of resurrection and hope for a new life.”
Where did you hear these words?
Members of Session or Council are considered to be leaders of their faith community; if you are a church leader, do you receive many questions about theology?
Like many Christians, I find that I don’t have a clear understanding of the meaning of many topics ie the Good News, evangelize, resurrection , good theology, healthy faith communities and the list goes on to include discipleship. Current research reveals that many faith communities have no actual plans for the future. Ten years ago, many churches had never heard of pickleball; now, if you have good facilities, in some cases, as many people play pickleball through the week, as attend service on Sunday.
How many leaders had heard of house churches, Messy church or online worship ten years ago?
I understand that several ministers meet informally with interested congregants to discuss the previous sermon or the one about to come.
There is evidence that some faith communities have failed to welcome change; there is no revival or revitalization. Reference: 1 Timothy 4: 10-16.
In my Ramblings, I stated several times that based on my experience, it takes from 5 to 7 years for an effective leader to become an effective change agent in a business, school or faith community.
Few people understand how difficult it really is to change the culture of an organization in positive ways. “Trust is the antecedent of all learning.”
“If you are in an abusive faith community, just leave. You should not converse with leaders, who are abusing their power.” J. C. Power.
Many faith communities have difficulty in sending their message out to the world.
For those faith communities, who are able to do this, I hope that you are sharing your strategies with other faith communities.
I have read that the biblical story of Esther will be shared with the Farsi-speaking audiences worldwide – “Esther, Queen of Hope.”
Please pray that God will help others to discover that God is near, even in the most difficult of times.
Following our recognition of Pentecost, we should note that Farsi is a Western Iranian language spoken by 110 million people worldwide, including native speakers in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajkistan. Roughly, 39 to 70 million people speakers live in Iran, where Farsi is the official language. The Persian language is also called Farsi.
Currently, it seems that many faith communities are finding how challenging it can be to engage new volunteers.
Are all of the available positions on your Session or Council filled?
How many volunteers are serving for the first time, as Team leaders for any Standing Teams?
Has your Session or Council developed a plan for revival and revitalization?
How are you encouraging others to join your ministry?
How does your faith community recognize its volunteers on a regular basis?
Researchers now designate many faith communities, as “island faith communities”; if you attend worship services regularly, I am certain that you understand the reason for this designation. Yes, there are only a few members or adherents, who actually live in the community closest to the actual church building.
How many worshippers now drive to their faith community from other neighbourhoods?
How many members/ adherents walk to attend worship or other programs.?
Without data, how do leaders recognize the needs of their communities and in what services they should assist in providing?
How many church buildings are located along Fanshawe Park Rd?
How many schools are located in the same geographical space?
Most of us are aware of the “I Resolve” program; several schools in London and area have received excellent program supports.
PRAYER(Xavier)
God of love,
We thank you for your presence with us during our transitions and change. We recall your deep compassion, presence and abounding love. We thank you for the gifts, talents and skills with which you have blessed us. We thank you for the work of others that supports our efforts. Be with us, as we rejoice in you and as we support each other.
We ask these things in your Holy Name.
Amen.
Christian Music, Song of Praise and Worship
