5-2-08 Lay Leader Vote Perspective
Lay Leader Perspective on the Upcoming Vote
Hello;
There has been a lot of e-mails, flyers, discussions and information or even possibly some miss-information going around lately to try to "shine some light on or present the facts" as some people want to present them. This reminds me of an old saying..."Be careful who you point at for blame because remember you have one finger pointing forward and four pointing back at you." I just want to take this time to remind you of some statements from a certain book I have read. I am not well versed in this book yet, but I also believe that you do not have to memorize it or know it inside and out to understand what it means.
In regards to our tongues...
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit.
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
In regards to confidence...
Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw your away confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
In regards to preparing the way...
Luke 5:4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can
you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
In regards to our faith...
Hebrews 11:6 And without Faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he
exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Mark 9:23 "If you can?", said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called
knowledge - by professing it some have strayed concerning faith.
In regards to God's rewards...
Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
The Great Commission...
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teach them everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
This is a critical time for Sunrise United Methodist Church. Unfortunately, there will always be rumors and gossip in regards to a process like this. Both are very detrimental to family, church and any relationship and as such we should not do that. This vote is not about me and what I want nor is it about any one else at Sunrise and what they would want. This vote is not really even about Sunrise UMC. This vote, like everything else we should be doing in life, is about God. Please take the extra time this week to pray and ask God what He would want you to do. My wife and I are scheduled for prayer time at 1200 pm on Saturday 3 May 08, you are invited to come join us at the Woodmen campus if you are so inclined.
After the vote, I challenge the people of the body of Christ of Sunrise UNITED Methodist Church to pull together and support the final decision. Whatever the decision is. This includes everyone, the laity and staff. We can have no more of the "us and them" mentality when it should be "WE". In order for us to move forward, this is a crucial step for us to be able to do for God. Don't let you get in the way of your relationship with God.
I cannot look back in time and dwell on things I don't necessarily agree with because by doing that I myself turn into a pillar of salt and can not move forward and I end up making the issue about me and it's not about me. I do not have any slides or charts to give you...all I have is Faith.
Thanks for your time and listening.
You are loved,
Dale Slider
Sunrise United Methodist Church
Lay Leader