"We Do Not Lose Heart

​Over the last several months, a group of clergy and LPAs in the Montana Synod have been working on some resources for individuals and for congregations based on the passage from 2 Corinthians 4 where twice the Apostle Paul uses the phrase, “We do not lose heart.” In verse 1, he writes, “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.” At the end of chapter 4, after Paul reflects on the challenges of life in living faithfully as Christians, and in verse 16 states, “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” 
 
Ministry in congregations sometimes is hard and challenging. There are those who confess that it is tempting to “lose heart”. The group of clergy and LPAs who met in March took the passage seriously and have produced resources that they offer to the Montana Synod. The first resource is a series of devotions that several wrote about scripture passages that give courage and hope in the midst of life, to “not lose heart” that they offer to you.

The second resource is a series that could be used for sermons or for an adult study based on the book of Exodus about God’s people wandering in the wilderness and their continual encounter with the God who would not let them go. The material is divided into six sessions/sermons suggestions.
 
These resources are on the Montana Synod website under the dropdown tab, “Resources” where they can be downloaded.  Please check these resources out and make use of these in your devotional life and in your congregation as you see fit.
 
Thanks to Pastor Katie Emery, Pastor Marllow Carrels, Pastor Will Johnson, Pastor Tanner Howard, Pastor Kim Wilker, Pastor Ellen Ayres, Pastor Valorie Putt and Kelley Miller for their work to put these resources together.
 
Pastor Peggy Paugh Leuzinger
Director for Evangelical Mission, Montana Synod