[Today Marti reminds us of our mission.]
For as long as I have known John, which is more years than I care to admit, he has sought to create bridges among people within the church to those out beyond its walls. By renouncing the rigid delineations of people into categories, he encourages Christians to meet individuals in the marketplace with a sense of inclusiveness, and diversity, while delivering a message of acceptance and love.
With the Lord throwing an international ‘net’ over a vast number of people, the Catch of the Day (the “Catch”) with its capacity for both public and private exchange, has grown into a “faith home,” an interactive cyber-church—a community of people who are recognizing that they are the living bridge that John refers to coming out beyond the walls around them and changing the world with the Gospel of Welcome, one person at a time.
Let’s set the stage as living bridges by reaching outside the walls of ourselves and by participating in God’s business to everyone, everywhere, everyday. Both as pioneers and midwives, we serve men and women and their children worldwide, whether they are or are not a part of the body of believers, with the dignity and respect due an ongoing creation of God. Now that will surely startle the world into some sort of vigorous reaction.
This is the hope of the Gospel of Welcome that we are no longer the stereotype but a prototype of His Kingdom on earth – stepping out, one foot in front of the other, with the liberty found within the Holy Spirit and authorized by God.
John Fischer The Catch 
I loved this devotional. I feel the same way.
It’s so simple — if all believers would serve everyone with dignity and respect and view everyone as God’s creation, we would rid ourselves of the stereotype. Thanks, Marti, for reminding us of our mission.
Thank you and amen, Marti and John! This is the message of Jesus in a nutshell. “Love one another” is what it is all about.
Thanks Marti,
This is the message of the gospel indeed…welcome…welcome home.
Sandy
Womderful reminder. The Gospel of Welcome…..what a wonderful idea…love it. Makes me want to say Love Wins, but I understand that is getting some of our fellow believers in trouble. Keep up the Good Work Marti and John. Can’t thank you enough for God’s message through you.
Thank you, Bill.
Yes yes yes! My church seems so inward looking. How do we proceed? I’d like to hear some concrete ideas. Action Items! I need action items! 😉
Not knowing the size or make-up of your congregation, it’s a little harder to know what to suggest, but here are a few ideas:
1) Collect food each month and donate it to the local food bank or–dare I say it (tongue in cheek)–the food pantry at the church down the road.
If you want a one-time deal, have the Sunday School children (or the whole congregation) collect baby food before Christmas, put it under the church Christmas tree, call it “Food for Baby Jesus”, and then donate as above.
2) Contribute to a local clothes closet or start your own.
3) Start an after-school tutoring program for the kids in your church neighborhood.
4) Get a group of men together to help older members of the church who are no longer able to do car or home repairs.
5) Have the youth volunteer to do yard work for members of the congregation who can’t.
6) Ask the congregation to bring in their loose change each week and drop it into a large collection bottle (clear so you can see as it fills up). Then donate it to a local missions project.
7) Have folks knit or crochet baby or lap blankets and donate them to your local hospital.
8) Have a hat and glove/mitten drive and donate what you collect to a local shelter.
Hope this helps!
I love the line “no longer the stereotype but a prototype of His Kingdom”
I found a definition – someone or something that serves to illustrate the typical qualities of a class; model; exemplar. II Corinthians 3:2-6
Ah for even brief moments that others might see Him through my life.
Yes. Great passage!
Thanks…missed the impact of that statement.
Marti & John
It’s been the earler years @ PBC-PA when met. John, I believe the last time it was at. the airport you were running to catch a plane ( one of the many times i’m sure) I saw you,”Gotta go, Sandy, see you in church” !
Now @ 500+ the 39th celebration of, we are living as residents @ the Los Gatos Meadows Retirement Community.
5:25 pm Gotta go to dinner (served!)
Will check back: in the meantime try FaceBook.
Sandy
hi marti,
Yes I truly agree with your explanation. I struggled for so many years to speak out this thought with words. But you spoke it for me. Thankyou.