Pastor's Pen

This weekend is the first of what we anticipate will be a series of leadership summits where we will examine the meaning of Christian leadership and discipleship. We welcome to our pulpit Dr. James Forbes, Pastor Emeritus of the Riverside Church of New York City. Dr. Forbes has given us excellent leadership as our summit facilitator. His presence has been a blessing and we look forward to the Spirit filled messages he will deliver at today's services
 
God calls us to be disciples. God does not call us to positions or to exert influence or wield power. We are summoned by the Spirit to be disciples; we are to be those who have fully committed themselves to the service of the master. Once we completely determine that all of our existence 24/7 is devoted to Christ, God then directs us to the places where our gifts can best be utilized.
 
The story of the calling of Peter in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 5, is instructive. Jesus’ ministry has taken on a regional renown. He has moved from Nazareth to Capernaum where interestingly he preaches at the Capernaum synagogue weekly on the Sabbath. Imagine what that must have been like, having Jesus for a pastor!  However, the ministry began to extend beyond the walls of the synagogue. The crowds became so large that Jesus went to the seaside to preach. On one fateful day he used Peter's boat as a pulpit and delivered a profound message from the lake of Galilee .Jesus then instructed Peter to launch out into deep waters for a catch of fish. Peter responded that they had fished all night and had caught nothing.
 
On the Sea of Galilee fishing was done normally at nighttime. Jesus instructs Peter to launch out at a nontraditional time for a catch. Reluctantly, Peter heeds Jesus’ direction and discovers there are so many fish in his nets that the boat cannot contain them. This miraculous occurrence causes Peter to confess his unworthiness to serve Jesus. However he then leaves his nets and becomes Jesus’ disciple. Little did he know that he would eventually be the chief disciple and one who, along with Paul, would become the most visible leader of the early Church.
 
Discipleship begins when we recognize our complete unworthiness that we cannot be successful by our own methods or means, and that once having recognized that fact we're willing to give our lives totally to Christ.
 
The book of Deuteronomy, the fifth chapter and the first verse, teaches us that we must listen, learn, and obey. When we give our lives as disciples it is a commitment to listen to God's Word, which according to one commentary is to absorb and accept information about God; to learn of God's Word, which is to study and internalize the meaning of God's commandments; and to obey God's Word, that is to diligently practice everything God has taught us in all aspects of our lives. Our first leadership Summit this week has been to help us all understand more completely the requirements and the extent of Christian discipleship. This is only the beginning; we will spend significant time building on the effects of this first summit.