Tag Archive for 'CoJ vision'

Prayer and Mission

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Mary Magdalene in PrayerA crucial part of the CoJ vision is to be a congregation that is “world impacting.” The gospel message of forgiveness and freedom through faith in Jesus Christ is life changing good news and definitely worth sharing, beginning in our own back yard and extending to the far corners of the world. That means we’ve got work to do – a mission to accomplish. Why then are we talking about prayer? Talking to God seems so passive. Why spend time talking to God about the world when we could be talking to the world about God? What’s the connection between prayer and mission? Continue reading ‘Prayer and Mission’

Published by Mark Jarvinen on October 24, 2007 in Commentary. 2 Comments

The Priority of Prayer

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A vision needs a strategy to help it become a reality. Part of our CoJ vision is to honor God. How will that become a reality? Our primary strategy for honoring God includes worship and prayer.

About prayer – Luther called prayer “the breath of the Christian.” As humans we breathe oxygen every moment of every day. Prayer, therefore, according to Luther’s analogy, is that moment by moment personal communion with God. With that in mind, Paul’s words to the Thessalonians in I Thessalonians 5:17 take on new meaning – “… pray continually, ….” he admonished them. Commune with God through the events of each day. Acknowledge His presence in a moment of need. Whisper a word of thanks for some small blessing He brings your way. Remember, as Paul said to the Athenians on Mars Hill in Acts 17, “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Spiritually speaking, this type of personal prayer, or communion with God, is life sustaining. Continue reading ‘The Priority of Prayer’

Published by Mark Jarvinen on October 11, 2007 in Commentary. Closed

Parenting Teens

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Another aspect of our vision at CoJ is to be a congregation that is “life building.” As a faith community we invest in each other, encourage one other, and build each other up to become faithful followers of Jesus Christ. We’ve refocused our Wednesday night format around a family night concept to address this goal.

One of our family night offerings is a video class called “Parenting Teens.” The videos are well produced and include interviews with teens about what they need most from their parents. One parent who attended last week’s session said, “I’m learning how to be a better listener.” I heartily recommend this class to all parents who want to be all they can be for their teenager(s). The class meets in my office from 6:45 – 7:45 PM on Wednesdays. Why not plan to attend?

Published by Mark Jarvinen on October 6, 2007 in Commentary. 2 Comments