Recently I served on a Lutheran Via de Cristo retreat team. Via de Cristo is a lay movement designed to encourage leadership in the local congregation through attendance at a three-day retreat. On the retreat there are 15 talks and group discussions about what it means to be a Christian in the church and in the world. New attendees are called pilgrims. At our first team meeting, we received the following information about what it means to be part of the team. This could apply to many other Christian ministries, and if you take the instructions seriously, it is quite humbling. Remember, we're here on earth for one purpose -- to glorify and serve God and others. Is that evident in your life?
Why am I here Lord?
- I'm here to praise God and to do God's holy work here on earth.
- I'm here to imitate Jesus Christ and be a window to the pilgrims.
- I'm here to pray and make sacrifices for the entire team and the pilgrims.
- I'm here to help establish a Christian community by bringing Jesus Christ to these three days and by accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- I'm here to know the intent of the talks and to help the speaker accomplish it by guiding and directing discussion at the table.
- I'm here to display Christian discipleship--love of my fellow human beings, acceptance of other persons and individuals by leadership (not domination) and showing my concern for others.
- I'm here to demonstrate true leadership--not glory seeking but in loving concern; to be a guide, not a counselor, to be a listener and to be tolerant.
- I'm here so that when these three days are over the pilgrims will be able to say of the team members, 'I came looking for Christ and I found Christ in this team.'
- I'm here to ask humbly that God's will be done -- not mine.
- I'm here, Christ, to submit my heart and soul to you so that our love will bloom and grow.
For more about Lutheran Via de Cristo see:
What is Via de Cristo?
Remembering My Via De Cristo Weekend
My Via de Cristo Experience
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