“Romans 10: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (10:13-14)

Greetings Church! The season of lent has begun. Lent is not the season where you check your dryer vent (though that is not a bad idea!). Lent is a time that encourages us with introspection, observation and action.

This season as we journey toward the cross it begins to test our discipline and faith. God has given us a great gift of faith, but what are we doing with it?

This is very important when it comes to the next generations. Recent research by Barna found that 77% of U.S. teens say they’re motivated to learn more about Jesus throughout their lives. While this is really encouraging, many teens lack spiritual mentors/disciplines to guide them. In fact, teens who aren’t firmly rooted in their faith often turn first to family or themselves for guidance rather than another Christian, a pastor, a church leader, or even the Bible.

What does this mean for us? It means that God has placed us in a unique position to help mentor and guide our young people. And not just the teens among us, but others, teens and adults within our communities. We have a unique position and time to help mentor and guide others toward a faith that is resilient and life-giving.

Typically, this passage above is applied to pastors, but really, it is directed to all of us. How are people going to know Jesus, grow in their faith, or get buffed up in spiritual discipline if no one is sharing it with them?

So, what does this all mean, especially for us? I believe it means that it is time to stop sitting and start getting in spiritual shape! But how?

This is where I want to invite you to join me in as we continue our journey to the cross. Lent may have been a time in your life that you were told to give something up for lent. There nothing wrong with that, and we can argue theologically that is important. But this Lenten season I have tasked us with not taking something away but adding to our spiritual discipline by spending time in prayer or studying/sharing the word. Over this season we will look at different ways to enhance our spiritual health and invitie others young in faith to join us.

The statistics I mentioned earlier remind us of the urgency to grow as followers of Jesus. Our youth and our communities need mentors, examples, and a clear path to Jesus. Together, we can answer that call.

I pray that you’ll take on this challenge with me. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38).

Let’s stop sitting and start getting us and others into spiritual shape!

Pressing On! Pastor Bruce