Gospel
Formation
NOTE FROM REV. DANIEL GIFFORD The Formation Pillar consists of ministries that seek to help one another at St. John’s mature and grow in Jesus. Much of this work described below in brief reports happens through small and medium sized groups that meet together week by week with God and His word at the centre of these gatherings. Many in our church have felt that these groups have been a lifeline in this year that has been dominated by the pandemic. Through them, people have cared for and served each other in deeper w a y s than we h a v e before the crisis, we have a n e w found appreciation and love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and in the midst of our hardships we have encouraged each other to trust and treasure God much more deeply. In a time of social distancing, they have been the key to 10
drawing us closer to one another as we have drawn closer to Jesus. They have also been instrumental in strengthening each of us to serve, not only one another, but also our neighbours, friends and strangers who are outside our church. It has been amazing to see that despite the deep disappointments and inconveniences of often not meeting in person, a number of our discipleship ministries and small groups have also grown in numbers during this past COVID year. Far from being a year to forget, 2020 has been a year filled with vitality and growth in Christ, because we have been helping each other in our small groups to learn what it means to humbly and completely depend on Jesus and set him above our greatest hopes and joys. In 2021 we will seek to encourage many more people in our church to join small groups at St. John’s. God has also shown us new ways to connect with one another for growth in Christ that we will use to reach more of our church family. Finally, in our small groups we will cultivate the vitality in relationships with each other and the commitment to serving Jesus in our world that God has given through this most unusual time. DANIEL GIFFORD
