One of the “Signposts” we will be addressing in worship this month is Testimony.  It is not a popular or well used word, at least in our circles.  We have an image of a testimonial as an aggressive attempt to convince another to think or believe a certain way.  We associate it with those who go door to door, and God knows we are not like them!  No, we are not like them, but must we throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Most people are not aware of this, but there is a group that has been doing testimonials in our church/denomination for a long time.  That is our Youth.  It is a regular practice at youth events (CONVO, retreats, etc.) for youth to give what is called a “faith talk”.  A person shares about his or her faith, usually in the context of some experience.  This is important.  Because it is in the context of a youth’s experience there is no tone of trying to convince anybody of anything, rather the feeling is one of vulnerability before others and before God.  If you have attended a Youth Sunday service you may recall a few of these “faith talks”, even if they were not called that.

This is a place where we can really learn from our youth.  They are sharing their faith both deeply and gently – in a fashion that is in line with our values and mission.  What keeps us from doing the same?  Old habits die hard.  We have to retrain our minds about the way we share our faith, from being in a position of strength and trying to tell another what to believe, to a position of vulnerability where we invite one into our experience and find common ground.  This is a vital part of our calling to be good stewards.

Testimony is about Stewardship because by sharing our faith we allow the spirit to be awakened in the souls of others, we form our own faith in the process, and we create the possibility to grow the church.  More people come to our church by means of being invited than any other.  Many people also come to the church when they are feeling vulnerable or suffering.  In a crass merely practical sense, if we want more money in the coffers we had better be witnessing.  In a more spiritual sense, if we want to deepen our own faith few things work like sharing it. 

Pastor Jim