By Pastor Jon
Before we begin, can I encourage you to peruse a previous piece that introduces this imitation concept? And I just did!
These words will follow that first serve. The impetus for this piece is through the real-time example of a well-known person’s vocational ministry journey, and the impact, thereof.
Many will be aware of pastor and prolific author, Eugene Peterson, and his recent promotion to glory. His wife, Jan, speaks about life as a Pastor’s wife, and there is much we can learn.
The wider context is the Peterson family personally taking-in children of a family from their church community, who had recently lost their mother, which had then translated into real living changes for the Father. These were unsuitable. Things had to change. The Peterson’s stepped up to this plate.
I will quote liberally from a Christianity Today piece. And as you read, take particular notice of the wider communal impact, which flowed from this singular decision:
David’s children were with us for about three months. The septic tank overflowed once, so we carted the kids back and forth to the church to use the bathroom. And I had to fix seven school lunches when we really couldn’t afford to buy lunch for everybody. There I was every morning, preparing all these lunches and getting breakfast for the kids and sending them to the school bus—it was overwhelming. Eugene organized the kids so they helped with packing their lunches.
Here’s what bolstered us in the midst of this busy season: As we were living lives of sacrificial service, the church began to do the same. Prior to taking in David’s kids, Eugene had tried to get people in the church to be aware of others who were going through a hard time. He’d make phone calls, asking for things like meals for new parents, trying to create a community of service. No one seemed to want that sort of community.
But then we took in the children. The church couldn’t believe it. People seemed overtaken by the idea of service—and they started pitching in. People started bringing food to the front door. The deacons said, “We can’t let the Petersons just feed these kids out of their living,” so they started giving us extra money for food. Somebody gave us bunk beds and a cot for the boys. And a family in the church invited David to come and live with them until he could get a place for both him and the kids.
When we had been longing for community, community suddenly appeared. That’s because service creates a community of giving. We never had to make another phone call.
Learn this lesson.
Live the change you talk about. Then you substantiate this talk with more than words. People are long familiar with good ideas. They are not so much with the practical evidence. This provides an opportunity for others, and a paradigm to positively copy.
The fruit of righteous imitation is not only the quality of service for others, but the good community that results.
That is a win-win.
For the Fame of His Name