I am not sure where it began, but during the last year or so the phrase “the take-away” has become an increasingly popular one. Teaching/learning sessions frequently conclude with it and now a daily news program on our local NPR station has it as a title. This leads me to wonder if we shouldn’t ask ourselves about the take-away not only as we preach or teach, but also when we order the life of the church as our efforts to appease various points of view can often leave others wondering what the Gospel message might be.
What’s the take-away when
-we preach matters of stewardship, but fail to consider how we take care of God’screation?During this season of examination, confession and repentance, perhaps we need to daily reflect upon what the take-away has been by those we have encountered in our work and play. Are we living in right relationship with God and others? Are we serving as witnesses to the saving grace of Christ? This kind of preparation might lead us to an authentic celebration of Easter. The take-away is my focus for Lent. What’s yours?
-we teach that Jesus loves all the children, but we do not support measures for adequate education and health care for children within our own state?
-we ask members to be faithful disciples by assuming church leadership roles, then we fail to use their gifts?
2 comments:
Thank you, Jean, for your perspective on the concept of "the take-away", a term I had not before heard (guess I am listening to the wrong programs on NPR), and its application to the Lenten season. You have certainly stimulated my thinking, and I have no doubt this will find its way into my sermon series on the journey to Easter. You are so right! Our witness must reinforce our words or we are no better than the noisy gongs and clanging cymbals of which Paul spoke. For those in church leadership, the challenge is clear: we must live out the Gospel message, not just preach and teach it.
The "take-away" reminds me too much of "goes into" and "carry a one". So my focus has shifted to long division as the division of focus has lasted too long.
Tom
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