Love, Serve, Lead

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family,

Love boldly
Serve joyfully 
Lead courageously

That terrific triumvirate is the heart of the vision of the United Methodist Church. That vision was featured prominently at our Northern Illinois Annual Conference earlier this month. That vision will be the focus of an upcoming sermon series. That vision will be on the new t-shirts designed for our 170th Anniversary Celebration Saturday on October 3rd.

Here’s what Eugene Peterson, our Northern Illinois Conference Co-Lay Leader, shared in his Laity Address to Annual Conference last week:


For starters, we should practice hope because, in times like these, you need an anchor that grips the solid rock, and Jesus Christ is that solid rock… In the end, we are merely farmers planting seeds that we might never see grow, because the increase is not ours, but belongs to the Lord. I’m especially calling on laity to lead the charge in practicing hope by being intentional about breaking any barrier that prevents us from loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously. Because when we practice hope, we will see God’s hand of mercy. (Emphasis mine.)

I encourage you to read more of his address here. And to start reflecting on that Trinitarian vision formulation: 
In what ways do you experience Minooka UMC already loving boldly and serving joyfully and leading courageously? 

What are some ways you think we could do more to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously?

I’d love to hear your responses in the comments.

Whether in person or online, all are invited to our welcoming and affirming congregation.

Plotting Goodness, 

Pastor Dave