From the General Presbyter

Happy New Year!

At my daughter’s college graduation last month, the doctoral students received their degrees first. As the first name was called (by an AI generated program!) I noticed the thesis was very specific. It went something like: “John Q. Public, receiving his doctorate for the study of the Madagascar Mushroom worm and its effect on the Greenland ice shelf.” Hey, who knew!! My amusement notwithstanding, I bet Dr John Q. will have a five page feature in National Geographic next year.

Above all else, these doctoral students are pursuing their passions and playing to their strengths. So, congregations and leaders, I ask this: what is your passion and where are your strengths? Not the strengths of twenty years ago, but now? It is tempting to want to “study” these questions while holding down the status quo. And perhaps the status quo is your strength!

But let’s ask the questions anyway and think broadly. Are you hospitable? Focused on Justice? Prayer? Food insecurity? Music? Building use? Youth in the community? Bible study? I believe it is perfectly okay not to be all things to all people, especially in this consumer driven society. My mother used to say you can be a “jack of all trades, but master of none.”

This New Year, I invite you to ponder your passions and where you can share the Gospel in the most meaningful way. Build your house on the solid ground of your giftedness because the world needs you more than ever.

May God bless us abundantly in 2025.

– Jackie