Welcome to the fourth episode of The Hope Podcast. Thank you for downloading and listening to our podcast. We realize your time is very valuable.
We would like to begin the podcast today by thanking some friends who recently posted reviews on the podcast. JBCJared and StanRR both posted comments and gave the podcast 5 stars. Thank you!
We explore the topic of a community of hope in this episode. I read part of an email from a missionary friend who is crying out for supporting churches to be safe places, communities of hope, where they could safely share their ministry struggles and live in grace and truth.
What is a community of hope? It is a place where everyone lives in the grace and truth of the gospel, acknowledging that all of us are fallen sinners who rest solely on the work of the cross. It is where broken people find a home. It is a place where we can be ourselves, brokenness and all.
How can we encourage our churches to become communities of hope? Here are some suggestions.
1. Understand grace and truth myself.
2. Pray for my church to become a community of hope.
3. Study how Jesus gave hope to those who suffered in the NT.
4. Seek to understand the needs of my community.
5. Become transparent with others about my own stuff.
6. Encourage my pastor and elders to also become transparent about their stuff.
7. Listen to those around me. Friends who are struggling will often give subtle hints that all is not well. Meet with them over coffee and ask them to share tell their story with you.
8. When others share their story, extend grace and truth, reminding them of God's love and that you are also there to love and support them.
9. Develop support systems for those people God sends your way who need hope.
10. Multiply these efforts church-wide.
If you are in a church that has not yet become a community of hope, I suggest that you find someone to talk with to help you deal with your stuff.
We also mention the importance of finding a good counselor in this episode. We suggest calling CCEF (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation). Their phone number is 215-884-7676. If you are not successful, email us (thehopepodcast@gmail.com) and we will try to help.
We pray you will find future episodes of the Hope Podcast to be encouraging. We also invite you to visit our website and sign up for our free newsletter. Our web address is www.thehopepodcast.com.
A new episode of The Hope Podcast will appear each Monday. We encourage you to listen and post a review!
Thanks again for listening.
~ Jim Leary
Intro and Outro used with permission
Release the Deep - Josh White
http://deeper-well.com/releases/absolution/
