“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” -Matthew 25:14-30
In the parable of the talents, a master gives each servant some of his property. One servant got five talents, and made five more with it (v.20). A different one got two talents, and made two more (v.22). A third servant was given one talent, and did nothing with it (v.24-25). The parable illustrates how God has given us various gifts and talents to benefit His kingdom. God wants us to use our skills, talents, and abilities to benefit His kingdom and the spread of the Gospel message. He wants us to at least try.
After being here for a year, and it has been a fantastic year I might add (Dawn would agree too), I have had a chance to develop a vision that I would like to see for Emmaus. I thought that I would share this vision in writing so that we could wrestle with it and work together in accomplishing these goals and ideas. How can we better use the “talents” that God has given us? This vision will certainly be a group effort.
Evangelism/Outreach
If you were to put Emmaus on a map, and then draw a two-mile circle around it, do you know how many people would be in it? The answer is quite shocking. Take a guess before you read the next sentence. There are over 71,000 people within a two-mile area of Emmaus that are over the age of 13. Did that number shock or surprise you? It did for me the first time I saw that number.
With that many people around our church, the question becomes this: “How do we engage them? How do we share the message of Christ with the people in our own community?” Some of the ways to do this are to be active in our community, serving our neighbor, having a community presence, and making relationships with those around us. A good way to start this is by doing four to six community outreach events per year. However, we will need help in doing this, and there are various ways to help.
- Ideas: Do you see a need in our community? Do you see a potential outreach opportunity? Do you have any ideas or suggestions for an event? Please share them with our Evangelism and Social Ministry boards. Please feel free to talk to me about it as well.
- Help: When these events become planned, we will need volunteers and helpers to do this. I encourage you to become involved in these activities by either participating, helping to set-up, or even by donating.
- Prayers: When undertakings like this are done, prayers are needed. Please pray for direction, wisdom, and guidance as we plan these activities and try to find ways to engage those around us.
Fellowship
I once saw this on my outdoor sign at my home church, and I have never forgotten it. The sign went like this: “Chch / What is missing? / U R.” The saying is correct. The Church is an assembly of believers gathered around the Word and Sacraments. An important part of the Christian life is this communal aspect. Fellowship with other Christians is an important thing. I would like to see the Fellowship at Emmaus grow deeper over the next year. I want us to see us know our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ better. I want to make us a tighter-knit church family. One of the things that I would like to do to help make us closer is to do four to six fellowship events per year. I would like to make sure opportunities are provided that give us an opportunity to grow together. Like above, we will need help with this.
- Suggestions: Do you have any ideas for Fellowship events? Please feel free to talk with Fellowship. Do you have any ideas to help increase the fellowship at Emmaus? Please feel free to share them.
- Participate: I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities as they come up.
Relationships
Over the next year, there are two relationships that I would like to build up: our relationship with Central Lutheran School and the Oromo Congregation. At Central Lutheran School, about 20% of the families are unchurched. I would like to build on our relationship with the school to help engage with and interact with these families, and even others. This will provide us with outreach opportunities as well. Please talk with our Central Lutheran School representatives and teachers that go to Emmaus if you have any ideas.
As stated above, I would also like to build on our relationship with the Oromo Congregation. I would like to see us get to know our Oromo brothers and sisters in Christ better. I want to see how we can help them in ministry, and how we can work together in bringing the Gospel to other people. If you have any ideas, please talk with Pastor Demelash, Spiritual Life, and Pastor Kooi.
Youth
It is no secret that young people are leaving the church at an alarming rate. So what do we do? We engage, minister to, appreciate, and care for the youth that we currently have. We need to keep them plugged into the Church. That is why Youth Group is important. Youth Group gives them an opportunity to be active in the Church in a way and setting that makes them feel comfortable. Youth Group also prepares them to be future active members by having them active in the Church from a young age. Dawn and I have been leading this group throughout the year, but we need help in some of the following areas.
- Volunteers: We would like to have some regular adult volunteers at Youth Events. You do not need to have a child or relative in Youth Group to do this. It can be anyone, regardless of age. For children to stay in the Church, they need four to five good Christian adult relationships that are not relatives. The more connected our Youth are with our congregation, the more likely they will be to stay. You can also help by developing a relationship with them on Sunday mornings.
- Teacher(s): We currently do not have a teacher to lead a Bible Study for the Youth on Sunday mornings. We do not have enough Sunday School teachers to fill this position. It is important that they learn the Word of God in a setting that is at their level, and relevant to their life. This is a position that needs to be filled by September to help build on the work that has been done over the last year. Please talk with Pastor or Dawn Kooi if you are interested in this.
- Prayer: Please pray for our youth, children, and the ministry that is being done for them. Please pray for direction, guidance, and growth. Please also pray that they would grow up and remain in the Christian faith.
Spiritual Goals/Education/Worship
An active faith life is important for Christians. These are more personal goals that I have for the people at Emmaus, but they are important nonetheless.
- Prayer: I encourage you to pray daily. Perhaps start by praying two minutes a day, and see the fruit that it will produce in your life. Grow in your relationship with God.
- Read: God’s Word is an active and living thing. I also encourage you to set time aside in your day to read or even hear God’s Word. Sometimes I use an app that reads the Bible to me while I drive.
- Worship: Attend our worship service regularly. Our worship service is where God gives us His gifts of life, salvation, and forgiveness. It is where we hear His Word, are fed, and strengthened.
I appreciate your time in reading this vision and future that I have for Emmaus. I encourage you to be a part of this and to use the “talents” that God has given you to help with this.
~Pastor Nick Kooi
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XVIII, Number 12, July 2017)