This Sunday is the Reign of Christ, the end of the Christian year, and the end of our month of stewardship. 

During my time away in October, one of the great books that I read as part of my study leave was Small Church Essentials by Karl Vaters.

There were so many good, helpful things in this book about how there is nothing necessarily wrong with being a small church. That there are, in fact, some gifts that only we as small churches can give to the wider Church and to the world. 

This affirmed something that I already knew. I love St. John’s – I see our potential, but also the beauty of who we have been and who we are today as a community of Jesus-followers. We have something so special with which to bless the Church and the world. 

In his last chapter, Karl wrote this: 

“Your church is big enough. Right now. Today, at its current size. Whether you have a too-small building, no building, or too much building, your church is big enough to do what Jesus is calling you to do and to be who He’s calling you to be. Your church is big enough to minister the healing grace of Jesus to its members to take that grace to your community in an overflow of joy, hope, and healing.”

As we come to the end of our stewardship month, as we imagine, pray and work towards the Reign of Christ, I ask that you make your pledges to our small but mighty church. I ask that you join me in giving generously of yourself: your money, time and talent, knowing that by God’s grace, we are big enough, that we are enough. 
To support one another, to learn and grow together in Christ. 
We are enough. 
To love and serve God, particularly where God is in our neighbours and neighbourhood. 
We are enough. 
To be a great small church, and part of the upbuilding of God’s Kingdom in this place. 
We are enough. 

Thanks be to God!

CG+