For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened—or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:11-12)
Next week, I’ll begin a three-week series about what we can learn from the Global Church, specifically what we might learn from the Presbyterian Church in Egypt.
Guided by Scripture, we’ll look at the lessons from the Global Church, from its work and witness, and consider how those lessons might make us a better, bolder Church here in Lewistown, MT.
I’m continually drawn back to Paul’s opening words in Romans. He opens his letter with a statement of how he longs to see them, to visit them, so that he might strengthen or encourage them.
And Paul could certainly end there. From everything we know, wherever he went, Paul’s visits with churches left a distinct mark upon the church there.
But that’s not where Paul ends, he goes on to write, “Or rather, so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Meaning, Paul knew that not only would he go to encourage the church in Rome, but that he too would be encouraged by the church in Rome.
Mutual encouragement.
That’s how I think of the church in Egypt. And that’s what I hope to share with you.
We’ll gather on Tuesdays at 7:00pm, beginning February 7 at First Presbyterian Church. If you’re unable to join in-person, we’ll be on Zoom too (and we hope to record each week).
February 7: The Church that Loves (Matthew 25:31-40)
February 14: The Church that Perseveres (2 Corinthians 4:7-12)
February 21: The Church that Replicates Itself (Luke 10:1-7, 17-20)
Grace and peace,
Kimmy