Merry Christmas! It is a Merry Christmas. We have much to be joyful about. Despite the ups and downs of the year, we can come to this time celebrating. Here’s a way I have smiled this fall.
I bumped into this superb gift the Lord has given us. At this time of year we do remember God’s gift for the world, his very own son. Born to Mary, an infant King. But there is more reasons to smile.
Jesus’ closest friend John wrote about this gift in 1John 3:1-3. Here’s what I’ve enjoyed. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God.” ESV. The Father’s love for us is so distinctive, so different than we expect. His love is absolutely unique. This love is expressed by calling us children of God.
Don’t miss it. Stop and consider the power of knowing who you are …who you are in the depths of your soul. Hear the Father look you in the eyes saying, “I love YOU.” As adults we many times we walk past the ideas of identity. It doesn’t seem as important anymore. Yet remember how deep the issue was when you were a teenager. Identity, significance was on the forefront of your mind and thoughts.
As I have bumped into friends, church leaders and others I am witness to moments when it is apparent that identity and significance in Christ haven’t had their full effect. (I know it hasn’t on me.) It’s not that we have a weak personality or are beat up by life. It is the reality that we each deeply need to know our identity as a child of God. Those deep and unspoken thoughts can only find their rest in Jesus and his gift to us. So, let’s camp on being God’s child. Knowing it gives us hope and power to move forward.
Just as God gave to us, we can follow his lead and pass it on to others. We each have a beautiful part to play. My privilege is to serve with the 120 Navigators Church Ministries staff. Ultimately, we give that many will know who they can fully be in Christ. What we envision is “Every church, sending everyday disciplemakers, to transform their everywhere.”
We are serving over 550 churches across the world, with 120 churches in our intensive three-year disciplemaking process.
Bill and I just finished our disciplemaking process for his church. What a privilege for me to walk with him and his core team. I am thrilled to see the next steps they take.
One of those I’ve had the privilege to walk with is Pastor Bill Johnson. He writes about our time together, “When starting out on this journey, I hoped for a shift in my congregation. We were too shallow, and I hoped to see a deeper level of commitment. We have seen just that, above and beyond my initial expectations. My hope now is that this becomes the underlying culture of our church, that the deeper discipleship experienced by the initial few participants, grows and multiplies to the rest of the congregation and beyond.”
What makes me smile is to see Bill’s commitment to be a disciplemaker himself. He is taking practical steps personally and with his congregation to live out the Great Commission.
As I look to 2023, I am excited to start with my next church like Pastor Bill’s and to see the many churches the NCM staff I lead will serve. In order from me to continue serving unhindered I need to raise an additional $1589 more a month. Will you prayerfully consider being one of those or an amount as the Lord leads? Thank you so much for your partnership in this ministry.
In Christ,
Dane Allphin
Navigators Church Ministries
Executive Director
P.S. Can I hear from you before December 31st? You may give online at this link. https://www.navigators.org/staff/23817273/