I am passionate about my children.  That statement comes as a surprise to no one, especially if they have attended most any of the school activities at Monmouth Roseville in the past ten years.  Classics Bee, Academic Olympics, DI, Band, Speech, Theater, Football, Basketball, Track...  If there was an event that involved our children, we were there.  Undoubtedly, there are some for whom the "H" word - helicopter - comes to mind, when they think of my involvement, but that is a risk I am willing to take.  The point is people can look at my life and see that I am passionate about my children.

I am not alone.  People can look at any of our lives and connect the dots.  There are many parents as passionate, or more, about their children.  Not only are they at events, they are working behind the scenes, raising money, planning activities, chaperoning events.  There are others who are passionate about other good things, supporting the library, the hospital, or the Buchanan Arts Center.  Still, others wear their team colors, whether it is a sport's team, political party, or service club.  Some are passionate about issues or ideas.  Though I don't always agree with them, I love to talk with people who are passionate about their beliefs, especially if their beliefs are reflected in their lives.  To be passionate is a gift and though, like any gift, it can be corrupted, it is a good gift, deeply connected to the life choices we make.

We spoke a little about this at the Faith & Life class on Sunday.  As you may remember, we are looking at the ministry of Jesus and what it means to be his followers.  One of the things we discovered is that the ministry of Jesus was, relentlessly, outward focused.  Jesus had a passion for people on the fringe.  The gospel of Matthew tells us, "Jesus looked upon the crowds and had compassion, for they were like sheep without a shepherd."

We also spoke about our calling as his followers.  If we are to be his body in our world today, should we also not be, relentlessly, outward focused? To this end we discussed the following questions:  "What are your passions?"  "How do people know?"  "Should one of our passions be for those who have no church home?"  "How might we show this?"

I, and I believe the class, which was well attended, found the conversation fruitful.  We were able to affirm the long history our congregation has of being outwardly focused and the many ways we continue to be outwardly focused today.  We were also able to affirm, given the changing culture in which we live and its resemblance to the first century of the church's ministry, the need to be even more intentional about becoming an "Invitational" church, where we are even more relentless in our desire to reach those who have no church home, those in our community who are "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd".

People of faith, I hope you will be able to join us, as we continue our conversation this week. Among the questions we will ask are:  "Why do people need Jesus?"  "Why do people need the church?"  "Why do people need our congregation?"  These are important questions for our life together.  For, if we are to have a future, we need to know the answers.

See you in church - and at the class!