Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church
1948 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
San Jose, CA 95126
Effective congregations encourage people to join the adventure and journey of discipleship by creating a culture in which the study of Scripture and devotional reflection are central. Learning to follow Jesus with one’s whole heart, mind, and body is the aim. The teaching focus, while certainly content-based, aims more at equipping people to live a lifestyle that is Christ’s style.
A father was doing some work at home on the computer, His young son kept coming and interrupting him, wanting his attention. Frustrated the father picked up a magazine, leafed through the pages and found a map of the world. He tore out the page and then tore the map into several pieces. He gave it to his son saying, “here is a puzzle, go and put it together and when you are done, bring it back to me.”
In just a few minutes the young man returned. Amazed, the father asked, “How did you do that so quickly?” The boy replied, “I looked at the other side of the picture of the map and there was a man’s face. When I got the man together, I turned it over and the world had come together.”
So it is in our congregation. When we as individual Christians get ourselves together then the congregation “comes together.” Or in other words, if individuals are growing spiritually, then the congregation will grow spiritually; if members are growing in discipleship, then the congregation will grow in discipleship.
This growth begins with a personal spiritual time every day. How are you doing in that area? Have you managed to develop the habit of spending time with God everyday — or is that an area that still needs some attention? It is easy to point out where the congregation — and others in the congregation — might be lacking. But, the change we all seek begins with us.
Why not start this week to set aside a little time every day to be in relationship with God. You might be surprised how important that little bit of time will become, and the plans you might make in order to have more!