Stephen Ministry

Here is what our Stephen Minister’s are reading. You might enjoy and benefit from reading it also. This book was instrumental for one of our congregational members in making the decision to become a Stephen Minister. Could it happen for you also?

IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER YOU’VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT. By John Ortberg

Peter may have been the first one out of the boat, but Jesus’ invitation to walk on water is for you as well. That’s where you’ll meet him: out where the sea is high and the footing impossible. As a follower of Jesus, you want to go where he calls you. But walk on water? What does that mean?

- Walking on water means facing your fears and choosing not to let fear have the last word.

- Walking on water means discovering and embracing the unique calling of God on your life.

- Walking on water means experiencing the power of God in your life to do something you would not be capable of doing on your own.

Expect a few waves to slap you in the face. Failure comes with the territory- but so does the strong hand of Jesus, pulling you up when the bottom drops out. And so do brilliant successes and rewards that far outweigh any of the risks.

In his engaging and humorous style, John Ortberg reflects on the biblical story in Mathew 14 and applies it to our lives today. He helps us to recognize what boat we’re in - the comfortable situation where we’re hiding.

He reminds us there is a storm – we will encounter problems. But if we’re willing to get out of the boat, two things will happen. First, if we fail – and we will fail sometimes – Jesus will be there to pick us up. We will not fail alone. We will find he is wholly adequate to save us. And second, every one in a while, we will walk on water!

“When human beings get out of the boat, they are never quite the same,” writes Ortberg. Encounters with Jesus have that effect. Do you want to know him as never before? Then face your fears and step over the gunwales – the Master of the sea is waiting for you.