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Pastor's Page |
Dear Friends in Christ,
“Are You an Owner or a Renter?”
A friend of mine opened my eyes to a new understanding of being the church. He asked me, "Have you ever rented a car?"
"Sure I have, lots of times when I travel," I said.
"O.K." he said. "Do you ever rotate the tires of the car you rent?" Never. "Have you ever washed the car?" Not once.
"Have you ever changed the oil?" I've never given it a thought.
"But have you done any of those things with the car that is sitting in your garage?" Sure I have, many times, I told him.
Why the difference? Because one I'm just using, I realized, but the other I have an investment in.
My friend wasn't done with me yet. "Does your church have mostly 'renters' or 'owners'?" I looked at him real hard. I was trying to make the connection. He saw the blank look in my eyes.
"You know, do you mostly have people who use the church for their convenience, or do you have mostly people who are committed to the church?" Tough question to ask; harder question to answer.
So, are you a renter or an owner? A renter goes to church when it's convenient; an owner is a part of the church always. A renter worships occasionally on Sunday mornings; an owner worships Jesus every day. A renter has ministry done for them; an owner does ministry for others. A renter quits when they get tired; an owner never gives up. A renter complains when things aren't going their way; an owner prays to have God change their heart. A renter occasionally gives their money; an owner gives their life for God’s work in the world.
These are just a few things that, in my opinion, separate renters from owners. And honestly I don't know if we have renters (I'm sure we do) or if we are mostly owners (I pray we are).
The point is, God is inviting us, through Jesus, to be owners; to own the faith that he gives us, to own the cross we are to carry and to own the ministry we have been created to do.
God has called you to Salem Lutheran, and it is your church home. We are blessed to have you with us. How can you take ownership of your faith, and of the ministry that we do together? How can you take pride in your church, and make our witness shine out like a light on a hill? Ministry doesn’t just happen magically. It is not for someone else to do. If we can each take pride and ownership in our church, and treat it with the same loving care that we show to our own homes and cars, just imagine what ministry we might do together for the Lord.
Our lives, our faith, and our church are all given to us as a trust by God. Our calling is to receive them with thanks, and use them well. God has brought you to this place, and given you time, talents, and treasures to share. Let us each be owners, and claim our role in this ministry we share in Jesus’ name.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John
JOHN ROTHFUSZ, PASTOR - Phone 779-901-0803; email:
