February 24th, 2024
by Matt Miofsky
by Matt Miofsky
This week I got to travel to be with pastors from some of the leading United Methodist Churches from around the country. I had the opportunity to speak to the group, learn from so many others, and hang out with creative and innovative leaders. It was good for my soul. Ministry can be isolating work and it has always been important for me to surround myself with people that I can learn from.
I think that is true for all of us. The people we surround ourselves with make a huge impact on who we become. It is easy for any of us to grow isolated and lose the support, influence, and perspective of others. It is important to surround ourselves with others, and to be intentional about who we choose to be in that circle.
Jesus was no different. He did not do his work alone but surrounded himself with so many others who played key roles in his life. Beginning this week, we are starting a new sermon series for Lent called Entourage: Characters in Jesus’ Crew. Each week we will look at one character who was surrounding Jesus during his last month of life. We will learn about the people that Jesus surrounded himself with, and what they have to teach us about following Jesus today.
This series will lead us up to Easter Sunday. It is a great season to invite someone to church. The Gathering grows because so many of you invite someone to join you. I hope this week, you will consider one person in your life that may need hope, community, a new beginning, or a fresh start this spring. Invite them to join you for worship at The Gathering.
I am so glad I get to be surrounded by all of you. At this gathering of pastors, I got to brag that I love my church. Thank you to all of you that make The Gathering what it is. Have a great weekend and I will see you in worship.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. The Gathering’s second annual BEYOND conference kicks off this Sunday evening and runs through Tuesday. We will have over 150 church leaders from all over the country coming to The Gathering to learn what it means to be a progressive evangelical community that welcomes all people to follow Jesus. Please be in prayer for all those that are traveling here to participate. If you have some free time, we would love to have you come and volunteer. Check out the opportunities here.
I think that is true for all of us. The people we surround ourselves with make a huge impact on who we become. It is easy for any of us to grow isolated and lose the support, influence, and perspective of others. It is important to surround ourselves with others, and to be intentional about who we choose to be in that circle.
Jesus was no different. He did not do his work alone but surrounded himself with so many others who played key roles in his life. Beginning this week, we are starting a new sermon series for Lent called Entourage: Characters in Jesus’ Crew. Each week we will look at one character who was surrounding Jesus during his last month of life. We will learn about the people that Jesus surrounded himself with, and what they have to teach us about following Jesus today.
This series will lead us up to Easter Sunday. It is a great season to invite someone to church. The Gathering grows because so many of you invite someone to join you. I hope this week, you will consider one person in your life that may need hope, community, a new beginning, or a fresh start this spring. Invite them to join you for worship at The Gathering.
I am so glad I get to be surrounded by all of you. At this gathering of pastors, I got to brag that I love my church. Thank you to all of you that make The Gathering what it is. Have a great weekend and I will see you in worship.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. The Gathering’s second annual BEYOND conference kicks off this Sunday evening and runs through Tuesday. We will have over 150 church leaders from all over the country coming to The Gathering to learn what it means to be a progressive evangelical community that welcomes all people to follow Jesus. Please be in prayer for all those that are traveling here to participate. If you have some free time, we would love to have you come and volunteer. Check out the opportunities here.
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Recent
Archive
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
2023
January
February
Explore - Week 1Explore - Week 2Explore - Week 4Explore - Week 3God is Leading Us Forward // M-Note 2.3.23SENT: Week 1 Discussion GuideSomething To Try This Weekend // M-Note 2.10.23SENT: Week 2 Discussion GuideSENT: Week 3 Discussion GuideWe're Doing Something Big! // M-Note 2.17.23Lent Devotional Day 1Lent Devotional Day 2Lent Devotional Day 3SENT: Week 4 Discussion GuideLent Devotional Day 4Lent Devotional Day 5Lent Devotional Day 6Lent Devotional Day 7
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