Photo by...Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash
A student survey conducted at one of our local schools determined that young people see the church as being full of old people and pews. And they think that the pews have to go. There’s some good news in that survey, they didn’t say the old people should go, only the pews.
Think for a moment: How does their perception match reality?
We might immediately begin to defend the pews. They've been good enough for generations. They keep us awake. They haven’t killed anyone.
Or we might be offended that they’ve labelled us as old. We might argue that we’re not nearly as old as our grandparents were at the same age.
We might want to join James and John to ask Jesus whether we should call down fire from heaven and destroy them.
But before we get too defensive, these young people are crying out for the church to recognise and value them. They don’t think the church cares about them, they don’t think we care. They think the church is only interested in the people who’re already involved, which to them means old people.
I wonder whether they’re any different to those of any age who aren’t connected to our churches. Would the whole ‘unchurched’ and 'previously-churched’ community agree that we don’t care. Would they contend that we’re only interested in ourselves.
If we’re so busy polishing and defending our pews then they have to go. If there’s anything in our church that uses up our time at the expense of living our lives for Jesus then it has to go.
Even more urgently we have to go. Not leave the church, the community of God’s people, but go with the good news that because God loves and cares for every single person in this world so do we.
“As you go”, Jesus says, “make disciples of all nations.” Jesus cares about this because he has ‘skin-in-the-game’. He died for each and every one we encounter as we go about our lives.
How do we, as individuals and a church, need to change so that no one in our community will feel that we don’t care about them?
Planted by streams of grace
by Jodie Hoff
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
They are like trees planted by streams of water (Psalm 1:3a).
Read Psalm 1
Psalm 1 begins with a picture of two ways to live. One way is shaped by voices that pull us away from goodness, wisdom and life. The other is quieter and deeper: delighting in God’s word, returning to it, letting it settle in us and slowly shape who we are becoming.
I love the image at the heart of this psalm: trees planted by streams of water. It is not hurried. It is not flashy. It is a picture of being rooted, nourished and quietly sustained. The tree bears fruit in its season, not all at once and not by striving harder, but because it is planted close to the source of life.
There is something gentle and hopeful here for us. So much of our daily life can feel full: decisions to make, people to care for, needs to notice, tasks to finish. In the middle of all that, Psalm 1 invites us to ask a simple question: What are we planted beside? What is quietly shaping our thinking, our speaking, our responding and our loving?
To be planted by streams of water is to keep returning to God’s grace. It is to make space for prayer, Scripture, worship, community, silence and service: the ordinary practices through which God nourishes us. And slowly, often quietly, fruit begins to grow: patience, courage, kindness, wisdom and peace.
Today, may we trust that God is tending our roots, refreshing our spirits and growing good fruit in us for the sake of the people and places we are called to love.
Gracious God, plant us close to the streams of your love and nourish us with your word. Help us grow in patience, courage and kindness and bear fruit that brings life to others. Amen.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience in Lutheran schools, Jodie Hoff brings a deep commitment to Lutheran education and the people and communities it serves. Having lived and worked in both Queensland and South Australia, she now serves as the executive director of Lutheran Education Australia. Jodie is passionate about building relationships, fostering connection and creating opportunities for people and communities to flourish. Beyond her work, she enjoys photography and the arts.
A NOTE FROM PASTOR PHIL
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, special and precious offshoots of the true and Living Vine,
I’ve got some bad news and good news: “ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Luther, shares the good news this way: ‘Jesus rescued me when I was lost and sentenced to death. He set me free from all my sins, from death and the power of the devil. It cost him more than gold or silver; it cost him his life. Even though he was innocent, he suffered and died for me.’ Wow!! Praise the Lord! May that never cease to amaze and inspire us.
God bless you, your day and your week. In Christ, the Living Vine.
Pastor Phil Joppich
Living Vine Lutheran Church
Held by hope
by Jodie Hoff
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
We are his house if we hold firm the boldness and the pride inspired by hope (Hebrews 3:6b).
Read Hebrews 3:1–6
Hebrews invites us to ‘consider Jesus’: to pause, look again and centre our attention on the one who is faithful. I find that such a gentle invitation, especially in a world that so often pulls our focus in many directions.
The writer honours Moses as a faithful servant in God’s house, and then points us to Christ, who is faithful as a son over God’s house. Our hope does not rest on our own strength, certainty, performance or ability to hold everything together. It rests in Jesus’ faithfulness.
That matters because hope can feel fragile. We can feel overwhelmed by responsibility, unsettled by change or tired from carrying what matters. We may wonder whether we have enough courage, wisdom or patience for what lies ahead.
Into that space, this passage reminds us of who we belong to. ‘We are his house.’ We are not simply trying to manage on our own. We are gathered and held in Christ, part of God’s household, where hope is shared, strengthened and renewed.
To hold firm to hope is not about pretending everything is easy. It is to keep turning toward Jesus, especially when our own faith feels small. It is to remember that God is still building, sustaining and making a home among us.
Today, may we consider Jesus again and find in him the courage to live with hope, trust and love.
Faithful Jesus, help us to consider you again when our attention is scattered, and our hope feels fragile. Hold us in your love, strengthen us as your people, and guide us to live with courage and trust. Amen.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience in Lutheran schools, Jodie Hoff brings a deep commitment to Lutheran education and the people and communities it serves. Having lived and worked in both Queensland and South Australia, she now serves as the executive director of Lutheran Education Australia. Jodie is passionate about building relationships, fostering connection and creating opportunities for people and communities to flourish. Beyond her work, she enjoys photography and the arts.