2026 September NL: Pastor’s Desk

How do we share our faith? Many programs teach us how to evangelize and share our faith in Jesus Christ with others. Most are centered on bringing people into our congregation, which often amounts to simply inviting them to church. There is nothing wrong with inviting people to church; by all means, continue, but that is not the best tool we can use to bring people to the faith in Jesus Christ, which is much more powerful. We have been told for years that in mixed company one should avoid conversations about faith because they often bring conflict and are a personal matter. This is not a biblical view and is often a stance taken because of one’s fear of conflict. Faith conversations need not be confrontational. This is where the concept of Apologetics comes into play. Apologetics comes from the Greek term “apologia,” meaning “defense.” When we speak of it, we are reminded that we are called to give a defense of the hope that is within us as believers in Jesus Christ. The purpose is not to tell people what they believe is wrong, but only to speak about what we believe and why. The central source of our hope is placed in the Word of God.

The more we are in the Word, the greater our ability to defend our faith increases. As we consider the concept of Apologetics, we can begin to develop our faith more deeply. The questions we are to lift for ourselves in our Christian walk are to understand what we do believe, and then we can grow in the why we believe, which will only be strengthened the more we are in the Word of God. I am excited for where we are going as a congregation. We have a wonderful Monday night study at 6:00 PM that goes until 7:30 PM, and we meet every Sunday for Adult Sunday School at 8:30 AM. Beginning in 2027, there will be a churchwide Bible reading program, which we will discuss on Sunday mornings before service and cover portions of in our Sunday worship services. Everyone will be invited to read through the Bible with us as we follow a Chronological Bible format, which places the readings where they would naturally fall together. It is an exciting opportunity for all within our body to go through the Word and to journey together to grow deeper in the faith. Let us always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within us and be a great beacon that points others to know Christ through the light He is working within us.