GBC Community Update: Practical Implications of being a disciple of Jesus

Good morning!  It was nice to start off our new series on Mark Sunday. I appreciate the positive feedback and interest shown already in this idea of being a ‘servant in motion’. I’m looking forward to our journey together.
 
 
Pastoral Job Posting
I appreciate all the work our pastoral search team is putting in. Thanks James for your update Sunday. As he mentioned, while we are posting the position broadly we also know that one of the best ways to look for someone is through personal contact.  So, we want to encourage you to share the posting within any networks you may have or with those who you think would be a great fit for GBC and to work with me.  We want you to help us get the word out about the opportunity.  
The link to the job posting, which you can share, is here:
https://www.guelphbiblechapel.ca/be-our-pastor.html
 
 
Oasis@Midweek on Wednesday!
The first installment of the month for our popular mid-week kid’s ministry Oasis@Midweek happens tomorrow. Youth@GBC is leading this installment so look for the next episode of our drama “Maze Games”, some great games and message around the theme of “God chooses you”.  This ministry for children JK to Gr.6 is not only for those who attended Oasis Camp or are part of GBC Kids Ministry but any in that age group that would like an encouraging evening event.
 
 
Thought for the day:  Practical Implications of Being a Disciple of Jesus
On Sunday during my message I mentioned that if you want to be a servant of Jesus you have to be a disciple.  This means essentially that we follow him.  What does it mean to follow Jesus? There are lots of books written about it, blogs and podcasts too. There’s no lack of information out there. Still, what does it mean to FOLLOW Jesus?
 
As we looked at Sunday, when Jesus called His first disciples He simply said, “Follow Me.”
 
These humble fishermen responded by leaving their careers, their possessions, and even their families to follow Him.  This wasn’t just a part-time project for them where they could change their minds in a few days and go back to their profession as fishermen. They left everything — and by doing so they were making a promise to complete the course and finish this new assignment.
 
By agreeing to follow Jesus they consented to be His students or His learners in the Jewish method of a Rabbinical school of discipleship. They recognized Him as a teacher and a leader, and they made this commitment to be His disciples.  What Does it Mean to ‘Follow’ Jesus? It’s a commitment and a choice and yes, it does cost us but its so worth it.
 
So this is what I’m going to be looking at over the next couple of weeks. For today I’ll add this: being a disciple of Jesus means to learn from Him and to stay close to Him. These two imperatives are the very core of true discipleship. These two requirements were essential for Christ’s disciples then — and likewise are necessary for followers of Christ today.  We’ll go deeper into these in my next number of updates.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris