by admin on February 20, 2012
This Sunday was probably one of my favorite Sundays I can remember in a really long time.
We began our new Redeeming Ruth study from the book of Ruth. We talked about how important it is not to just read Scripture for principles, but to look for a person: Jesus! The Bible is the revelation not merely of words or wisdom but of Jesus Christ. I think we’re really in store for some awesome times ahead as a church and it was a very timely word, at least for me.
It was so awesome to be reminded that out of despair and emptiness and brokenness, God is still working. He brings hope from the last place you’d ever expect. We may grow weary or tired but He never lets us go. He has a plan that He intends to fulfill and promises that it will be for our good.
This Saturday we have an opportunity to help people right here in our city who possibly are in a time of difficulty and despair. Partnering with Laundry Love and Current, we will be paying for people’s laundry at a local inner-city laundromat and ministering the Gospel in practical ways. We’re meeting at the church at 9:15am, and planning on serving most of the balance of the morning. Make sure you get there.
For Tampa,
Pastor Pilgrim
by Pastor Pilgrim on February 6, 2012
RealTime Weekend Wrap-up
So this Sunday I was unscripted and challenged the church to action. There is so much happening in our young church and we are in another phase of transition. When times like these occur, Author Joe Tye speaks of ship captains sounding the “All Hands on Deck” call (in his book by the same title). We believe the winds of change are sending us in a new direction; not new in our vision to be a city within a city, loving Jesus as we live right with God, real with one another, and redeeming to our culture; but in a new season of ministry.
We talked about finding what needs we’ve been gifted in and to use those gifts to the glory of God. I mentioned how Nehemiah surveyed the city of Jerusalem and then called people to help repair what was broken or in need of attention. At Reality, we have many opportunities to serve:
- Real Kids
- Media/video editing
- Worship leading
- Admin
- Bookkeeping
- Cleaning
- Assimilation
- Community Group leading
- Sermon research
We aren’t going to hire myself or anyone else to be the minister. We believe Ephesians 4:11, which tells us that we are to organize under qualified leadership which should equip everyone in the church to be the ministers! To that end the best place to get equipped to serve Christ is at a community group. Reality has 4 Community Groups that begin this week:
Monday nights at Macdill
Tuesday nights in Stadium Area
Wednesday nights in Westshore
Thursday nights in Palma Ceia/South Tampa
Everyone at Reality should be connected to a community group where we discuss what Christ is doing in our lives and how we were impacted through the Word on Sunday, praying with and for each other and making a difference in our respective communities.
This Sunday I’ll be guest teaching at Refuge Church in Bradenton and my good friend Pastor Brian Pflieger will be teaching at Reality. I hope you’ll be there!
For Tampa!
Pastor Pilgrim
