Spirit of the Living God
Recently, my family took a trip to Galveston. While there, we rode the ferry a few times so that we could get a closer look at the dolphins. As we stood out on the deck on an especially windy afternoon, we could see sailboats off in the distance with sails billowing in the wind. One of my kids, ever inquisitive, asked, “What if the sailboat needs to go in the opposite direction?” I didn’t actually know the answer to that question, so I put trusty Google to work.
When sailboats need to sail into the wind, they do what is called tacking. Tacking is when a boat sails at an angle to the wind and then changes direction, forming a zigzag pattern to make progress as it attempts to sail into the wind. This is definitely not the most direct route, and sometimes amidst the zigs and the zags, it can even feel as if you are making no progress at all.
Ministry can sometimes feel like sailing into the wind—navigating competing needs, weary congregations, complex situations, and quiet pressures. And in a world enamored with metrics, driven by measurable outcomes and focused on the correct formula for success, it is easy to forget that the kingdom of God does not advance in this way. It advances by the breath of the Holy Spirit.
In John 3, Jesus told Nicodemus that the Spirit is like the wind—unpredictable, uncontrollable, yet always moving, always at work. As ministers, we are not called to manufacture that wind but to catch it. The Holy Spirit is there to instruct (Neh 9:20), remind (John 14:26), convict (John 16:8), guide (John 16:13–15), and intercede (Rom 8:26) for us. The Spirit is there to comfort and counsel us (John 14:16). The Spirit reveals the “deep things of God” (1 Cor 2:10) to us and is active within us.
We must become people who wait on the Spirit, listen for the Spirit’s promptings, and dare to follow—even when the path is unclear, even when the path requires a few more zigs than zags, and especially when the path requires sailing directly into the wind.
So what do we do about this tendency to rush ahead?
Set aside time each day for silent prayer or reflection. Turn off distractions (e.g., phones, TV, etc.) and sit quietly in the stillness and presence of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Be open to interruptions and perhaps leave room for them—often, that’s where the Spirit moves most freely.
Stay rooted in Scripture. Set aside time to read and reflect on God’s Word. When you sense a prompting, let the Word be your filter.
At Summit this fall, we will push back against our natural tendency to rush ahead as we examine the work of the Holy Spirit among the people of God through our theme, Encounter: Spirit of the Living God.
We are excited for you to experience the different ways that each of our ministry communities will envision this theme. For our ministry communities, we will focus on the areas of adult formation, Hispanic ministry, intergenerational ministry, preaching, and small/rural churches. Whether you serve formally in ministry or not, you are welcome to take part in any of the ministry communities.
For those who would like a more traditional lectureship experience, we will once again host two general interest communities. While these are envisioned as more broadly appealing, anyone is welcome to attend. This year, the Old Testament community will examine Isaiah 40–66 and the way in which this text speaks to us presently. The New Testament community will explore The Chosen through the lens of biblical scholarship and the arts.
In addition to the times spent in ministry communities, we will come together as a larger group to hear from keynote and devotional speakers and spend time lifting our voices in praise. Also, noted author and scholar Dr. Nijay Gupta will serve as this year’s Anchor Point plenary speaker. He will examine how Pentecost changed ancient religion and shapes us today. We hope Summit will be an opportunity for you to be encouraged, renewed, and equipped.
Registration is now open, and we hope you will make plans to attend Oct. 8-10. Additionally, check out the Summit website to find out more about our ministry communities, the Community of Women Ministers dinner, and the chaplaincy lunch. Until then, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor 13:14).
