Over the 34 years of being together, we have always been engaged in small groups within the church.  We actually can’t imagine how it would feel if we had not done this.  We are confident we would not be as close to Christ today or have experienced as much spiritual growth were it not for our different small groups.  We have lived in five different states (away from our immediate family), and in each place the church has truly been our family because of these small group experiences.

As we explore the mission of God in the book of Jonah, we have asked some lay leaders from the Ridder Leadership Initiative to share their reflections. They were each given two questions to consider: Where do you see God present and at work around you? And how are you joining in on God's mission?

Below are reflections from Diane Becker, a recent Care Leadership Elder, a designer and a lover of people:

As we explore the mission of God in the book of Jonah, we have asked some lay leaders from the Ridder Leadership Initiative to share their reflections. They were each given two questions to consider: Where do you see God present and at work around you? And how are you joining in on God's mission?

The Mark Challenge and the Lenten Journey have impacted each of us in different ways. Together we have waded into the depths of the Gospel according to Mark and encountered the incarnate Jesus, born of human flesh and living a life of mission and redemption, calling others to "come and follow." As we draw near to the cross and nearer to the resurrection, these are precious moments in which to reflect on the Spirit's work in each of our lives - molding, transforming and equippping us to join Jesus in his mission to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

Scott Patchin holds many titles - husband, father of four, independent business person, leader of the "Pastoral Search Team," etc. - and chief among them is "child of God." Here, he reflects on his experience of listening and living into the Gospel, accompanied by the power of the Spirit. His words are honest and unedited. I pray that you will find his insights compelling and even encouraging as you continue your own journey in developing as a faithful follower of Jesus.

We're continuing to use this blog during the Lenten season as a way of hearing from members of Christ's body here at Fellowship who are engaging Mark's Gospel and reflecting on untamed discipleship.  This week's reflections are from Leslie Russell, one of our youth ministers.  It has been my joy to be in ministry with Leslie for the past four years.  I love her heart for God and others.  Here are some of her personal reflections on what she is learning about being an untamed disciple:

As we enter the season of Lent, we'll be inviting several members of our congregation to share personally what the Holy Spirit is stirring in them through this series on "Untamed Discipleship" and their engagement with the Gospel of Mark.  And who better to start us off then Carol Wagner, the President of the Congregation? 

I received a surprise package in the mail a week ago that couldn’t have come at a better time. It was an unmarked DVD with nothing but a little note attached: “Brian, I think you’ll enjoy watching this.” I popped the DVD in the player and turned it on. There was Jeff Christiansen, standing up in front of the congregation of Bethel Church in Sheldon, Iowa. Bethel Church was the first congregation I served right out of seminary—a beautiful community of people who taught me so much about what it means to be a pastor. 

One of the ways we want to utilize this blog is to tackle some of the questions people have been asking that have arisen from our study of Mark's Gospel.  We (the pastoral staff) certainly don't claim to have all the answers, but we do want to take your questions seriously and offer some reflections (and we invite you to offer your reflections as well).

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” (Mark 1:15, NRSV)