SEPTEMBER 21, 2023
Dear Central Church,
Last week we introduced a new sermon series entitled, “Soul Shift.” It’s based on this book by my friends David Drury and Steve DeNeff. Here’s the big idea behind soulshifts: A SoulShift is a change in the deepest part of our being that makes us more like Jesus and less like our old selves.
In Mark 10, the disciples were rebuked by Jesus for not welcoming children into their group. The disciples were worried that the children were getting in the way, and Jesus was worried the disciples were not like children. They needed a soulshift. They needed to be more “minded” like Jesus, and shift from fearing God as an omnipotent taskmaster to embracing God as a loving Father.
This week’s soulshift is from “Slave to Child.” We will not only explore this idea in our teaching time this Sunday, but we’ll see what it looks like when people make this shift. We have 2 people who are being baptized! I know you will want to be there to celebrate with them as they celebrate their new life in Christ.
By the way, don’t forget about these two big events coming up at Central:
Engage Day - October 7
Jesus said in John 21, “As the Father has sent me, so am I sending you.” We are a “sent” people, and we are called to engage our world with the good news of Jesus. Engage Day is when we come together and extend to others the life-giving community we have experienced from God. It’s filled with meaningful service projects that impact our community for Christ. We have several different ministry partners in the greater Kansas City area that are eager to partner with us. Engage Day is October 7 and begins at the church at 8:30 AM with breakfast and devotional time. We are then sent to our various projects, most of which will conclude around 2 PM. To see a list of available projects and to sign up, click here.
We are especially encouraging Life groups to sign up together for a project. Groups that serve together, grow together!
Faith Promise Sunday - October 8
Being a “sent people” also means that we engage our world! By participating with Nazarene missionaries around the world, we are connected to what God is doing in places we could never go. On Faith Promise Sunday, we’ll hear from Rev. Astrid Camacaro, who is the regional coordinator of compassionate ministries for the South American Region. She will share how our support of the World Evangelism Fund enables local churches in global contexts to transform their communities through ministries of compassion and justice.
Through this annual emphasis on the global and local mission of the church, we have the opportunity to participate in what God is doing around the world. We call it “Faith Promise” because we are challenged to make a financial promise in faith to support these efforts. Please begin thinking and praying about what God would have you do over and above your regular tithes and offerings to support His mission at home and around the world.
Kristin Encarnacion, our NMI president, tells us more about Faith Promise here. Check it out!
Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark
