Capitol Hill Christian         

Something to think about . . .

In Matthew, Mark, and Luke a conversation is recorded about Jesus is asking his disciples after his ministry on earth had been going on, “Who do people say I am? The answer was interesting because Jesus was getting a snapshot of how people were interpreting and understanding who he was and what his message from God was being interpreted and received by the people listening to him. Did they understand what and why he was doing was coming from God and not just from himself. The answer Jesus received from his disciples was surprising to him and that is why he asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” He needed to make sure his message was clear enough for his closest followers, his disciples. Where they learning and understanding who he was and why he was doing His ministry on earth? That is when Peter, who was never afraid to speak up, says, “You are the Messiah.” They were getting a picture of Jesus was and what he was doing and why he was doing it. But of course, later in the scripture we find out that Peter and others were interpreting Jesus to be the Davidic Messiah and not the Moses Messiah, the suffering lamb of God. Jesus corrected him.

Who do people say we are as a church in this community? If I went to HyVee or somewhere nearby and ask someone if they had heard of you and if they did, what would they say about Capitol Hill Christian Church? 

Now if I asked someone close to you about who you are as a Christian and how you have lived your faith, what would they say about you and your relationship with the Lord and God? What would they say about how you lived your faith?

I know being the new minister at Capitol Hill we need to get to know each other and bank away the trust we need to have with each other. I want you to know that I will be there for you and your family. I will be there in the valleys of your life as well as the mountain top experiences and in between. Time spent together will prove that. We will figure out a way, because of Covid-19, for all of us to get to know each other and get connected to each other, even if it is on an individual basis.

But I want you to start thinking about, even in this covid-19 time in history, how you, as an individual, and we as a church will do ministry together. One view of a healthy church is that they always remember and never forget why you are here as a church to do ministry. I view ministry in three different modes. The first mode, you as individuals have a ministry sometimes outside the church and within the church and community. The second mode is the ministry we do together as Capitol Hill Christian Church (DOC) to and for the Des Moines area and not just the Eastside. What will that look like? You have talents and gifts to be used for the church and through the church. I want to do a time and talent survey for everybody no matter your age, so your talents and gifts from God can be used for God Kingdom on earth through Capitol Hill. Children can do one as well.

Let us be honest, there are people in Capitol Hill that are being affected by the coronavirus for fear of getting sick. I believe that we can still do ministry whether as individuals or as a congregation despite the limitations covid-19 puts on us. Praying for people is an easy one and so is buying food for the people who need a hand up from losing their jobs and so on. Helping the poor and needy people is getting bigger and bigger, but we can donate to the Des Moines area ministries, and call people and check on people who are homebound or shut-in their homes and retirement homes. I will be doing that every week any way.

I am excited to get started in my ministry with Capitol Hill, and I pray and hope you are as well. I am excited to get to know why we are here to do ministry. Pray for each other, our community and me as we begin our relationship and journey together for God’s sake on earth.

Something to do . . .

God Bless,
Rev. Craig