Talking Points with Pastor Lucas: Understanding the "Go!" in Go First!

Last month I introduced the Go First! initiative. It’s based upon the Gospel joy that since Jesus goes first to the cross to win for us forgiveness, life, and salvation, we can trust Him. And because we trust Him, He inspires us to go first and inspire others in His name. I offer this as a building block for our work together in our district this triennium. Going first helps us unleash the potential of our congregations and schools in the name of Jesus.

To help us see how we can go first, look at when and where Jesus says “go.”

Prayer
1.     “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matt. 6:6

Study of God’s Word
2.     “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matt. 9:13

Trusting God
3.     And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:52

Life Together
4.     “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” Matt. 18:15

Stewardship and Care of Others
5.     Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Matt. 19:21

Life as Disciples
6.     “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” John 15:16

Intentional Missions
7.     And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15

Intentional Catechesis and Outreach through Word and Sacrament
8.     “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:19-20

Each passage illuminates the people, places, and callingslifestyle to which Jesus said “go.” They inspire us to imagine what it might look like for us to go first—both in our relationship with the Lord and with others, as individuals and as a congregation.

Perhaps it’s going first into your neighborhood to get to know others and invite them to your church. Maybe it means going first to the single parents of your congregation to offer childcare or maybe to start a neighborhood food pantry. It could mean serving as a mentor to confirmation students or joining community conversations about race and biblical justice. Dream big! Jesus went first into death and back to life to show us the power of His going first and to prepare the way for us to follow.

Some of my initial conversations about going first have been extremely exciting. One conversation was about going first to the community with a summer school program open to all. Another was a dream to begin a Christian hospital that cares for the whole person—body, mind, and soul. —By collaborating with other Christians who uphold a biblical view of care, it would to finance, build, staff, train, and teach what it is to care for the whole person. And this by And by bbuilding the first hospital in a needy community in Minneapolis, it would be used as a model to expand across the state and even the nation. Like I said, these are exciting conversations!

I’ve placed each of the above passages into four groupings to help us focus and explore how we can go first. In the coming months, I’ll unpack each: Life together, soul care, collaboration, and intentional outreach. As we continue along our way following Jesus, I’d love to hear from you about your dream to Go First! Talk to you soon.

Your brother in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Lucas V. Woodford