Growing In Faith  by Bill Ray

 Erik has asked me to provide some testimony to my faith journey and I have agreed to that.  My faith journey is not one of an Aldersgate experience; Paul on the road to Damascus; being born again through some dramatic encounter with Jesus.  There are people in this congregation that have had such an experience and we have heard their testimony.  This is clearly within the Methodist tradition, although the Baptists seem inclined to talk about it more.

 My faith journey is one of nurture and growth.  I see some nods around the room.  There are others that have had that experience.  For me, that nurture and growth has been based on four foundations:

o     Regular attendance at worship

o     Regular study of the Word in practice in my life

o     Service to others

o     Commitment

Does that sound familiar.  It should.  We take that vow upon joining the Church.  But what’s my testimony?

 Worship  I travel a lot.  It would be easy to take Sunday off when I am not at home.  I could be sitting at my house reading the NY Times, but here I am instead giving testimony to that nurture of worship.

 Study  I was in Sunday school and VBS as a child and that provided a foundation.  More importantly,  as an adult, I have always been involved in adult Sunday school and Bible study.  That’s nurture.

 Service  I have found a lot of nurture in participating in the day to day work of the church on committees and events.  I have  found great nurture in reaching out in service projects and mission to others.

 Commitment  As an adult, I have always committed a part of my financial resources in regular giving.  My commitment is nurture to me.

 I want to take this time to speak to you as an individual and I am going to be as serious as a heart attack.   

o    I probably don’t have to encourage you to attend worship regularly, because here you are.  Here I am literally preaching to the choir.  Here is what I would ask you to do, reach out to those members that are not in worship regularly. 

   I do encourage you to become involved in Sunday school or a regular bible study group.  You will come to know those people as brothers and sisters and it is hard to overestimate the nurture you personally will draw from that.  To church leaders, I would say you may wish to make this opportunity more available than what I see.

o     Make it a point to get involved in a service projects.   Reach out, it will be fun and I guarantee, you will grow in faith.

o     This is the time of year when we are asked to commit.  Several Sunday’s ago I was impressed with all the cards that were held up by members showing the many ways this church means something to them.  Do you remember that.  Did that not “feel your heart strangely warmed?”  Here’s what I say:  Step up.  Give till it feels good.  Trust me in this, you will be nurtured by that step in faith.

So that is my testimony.  I have very much enjoyed the time I have spent here.  I hope that I have been able to be of some help while I was here.  Thank you for the wonderful and warm Church home you have provided,  it has been a source of great nurture.