Church Board Prayers - Week 2

Angela headshot

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8 NIV)

As a single “twenty-something,” I’ve had well-meaning friends wonder why I still attend the church I’ve grown up in, the church my family goes to each week, as if growing up should naturally encompass out-growing the church of my childhood. I am here because this church is my family. This church has journeyed with me. I’ve been blessed with opportunities to grow and to serve in various areas of ministry at Manteno Church of the Nazarene. I’ve had loving pastors, mentors, and friends pray with me, encourage me, and guide me. Where would I be without this church? I love you all!

At times I have struggled with the tensions of change that we are facing, but Philippians 2:5-8 reminds me to submit in obedience to God’s plans. I’d like to challenge you, as I have been challenged, with Paul’s words in verses 1-4 (my own paraphrase here borrowing heavily from The Message):“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if being in THIS community at Manteno Church of the Nazarene means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Be like-minded, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t think your way is the only way.Put yourself aside, encourage and value others. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage (your own way). Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

Jesus submitted to the Father to the point of death to demonstrate His love for us! I want to honor the Lord and serve His Kingdom purposes here by putting myself aside and loving God’s people. I look forward to the days ahead with such hope—and hope in Christ, as we were reminded last Sunday, will not disappoint.

Will you join me?

Please pray that we as a church body will be like-minded.

Pray that we will love as Christ loves us and stand together on the Solid Rock as our foundation.

Pray for hope.

Let’s continue to pray for our pastoral staff as Rick charged us to last week. And let’s also ask God to show us if there are ways we can lend a helping hand, or give a word of encouragement, to Hannah and David, Amy and Lance, Susan and Scott, Ken and Teresa, and Jack and LeAnn.

With much love,
Angela Baldwin