A theme interpretation for the 2025 Mission Offering of the Church of the Brethren
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your servant—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~Matthew 20:26-28, NIV
Competition is a very human thing. It feels good when we are chosen first or when we are called the best at something. The world measures success by getting ahead, gaining power, and acquiring more. The ways of Jesus often challenge our human perspective of the world.
When the disciples were caught in a competition of their own, Jesus shared clearly about what greatness looks like in the kingdom of God. For Jesus, to be the greatest does not always mean winning, but helping others to thrive—not conquering others, but serving them. Just as Jesus loved and served his disciples, so also does he call us to serve one another.
Through the Global Mission of the Church of the Brethren, we are cultivating relationships with sisters and brothers around the world. Our work seeks to strengthen faith around the world for mutual upbuilding and meaningful partnership in mission. Through the ministries of each partner country and in how we work together, we live in the ways of Jesus and serve one another. We work with partners in the US and around the world to address human need—spiritual, physical, and communal.
The Global Church of the Brethren Communion includes churches in the US, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, India, Nigeria, Rwanda, Spain, Uganda, and Venezuela. Global Mission also has a mission worker in South Sudan, and partners in Burundi, China, Ecuador, Kenya, Mexico, Tanzania, and Vietnam.
The Mission Offering supports the Core Ministries of the Church of the Brethren and includes Global Mission. Thank you for your partnership to help our sisters and brothers thrive in ministry around the globe. Together we serve one another as we join Jesus in the neighborhood.
By Traci Rabenstein, executive director of Mission Advancement
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love for the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ . . . But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” ~ Galatians 5:13-14, 22-25; NIV
Over the past year, I have found myself (more than once) wrestling with what it means to have the Holy Spirit of God dwell within me, within us as the people of God. Here is what I understand: the day we accept Christ is the day the Holy Spirit enters into our lives to dwell with us. From that point forward, the Spirit guides us through life, aiding in the interpretation of God’s word so that we might hear God’s “rhema” (God’s specific and special word to us) so that we can be drawn closer to God to know God more and more. The Holy Spirit provides us with actions and words to use in various situations so that the grace of God and love of Christ might draw others into God’s glory.
I’m not sure about you, but I regret that I can sometimes be quick to anger or focused on what I’m thinking and feeling instead of considering the needs of others. Neither of which, I’m convinced, are things that the Holy Spirit would lead me to act upon. I believe these are the kinds of “works of the flesh” that we are to avoid when we let the Spirit work in and through us.
The Galatians were a diverse people—heirs to a Celtic warrior past, immersed in a Hellenistic present with dialogue across religions, and living under Roman rule, all while navigating the new and challenging doctrines of early Christianity. Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia reveals a significant cultural and theological tension in which Jewish Christians were attempting to persuade Gentile converts that they needed to adhere to Jewish laws to express true faith in Christ. Paul’s forceful argument against this “different gospel” indicates the strength of the cultural and religious debate occurring among them. Paul reminded them that salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus and nothing else.
After sharing a list of the “works of the flesh,” Paul also shares the “fruit of the Spirit” as a contrast. In this way it is clear what is of God and what is not. It gives us insight into what life will look like if we give in to the desires of the flesh versus what our Christian life becomes when we give way to the leading and desires of the Holy Spirit.
Paul makes the difference even more stark as he mentions “the works” to describe the flesh versus simply saying “the fruit of” related to the Spirit. Works are something that you do, motivated by your flesh. But fruit is something produced through you by the Spirit as you respond to God’s prompting. The sources are different, and their outcomes are different. For fruit to be produced, the Holy Spirit must be included in every move we make if we truly want God to lead us, give us clarity about scripture, and empower us.
On a trip home to Pennsylvania, I made a stop in Kentucky. I usually enjoy hearing people share their stories wherever I go, but as I ate my meal at a Cracker Barrel that night, I was tired and wanted to get back on the road.
An older gentleman in bib overalls with large front pockets was sitting nearby, and it seemed that all the staff knew him. When I finished my meal and the waitress brought me a cup of coffee to go, she insisted that I meet Mr. Paul. I honestly didn’t want to meet Mr. Paul, but off I went with her to his table.
Our interaction was brief, sharing our names and where we’re from—and of course he knew someone from Pennsylvania. After a minute, he shared a funny joke with me, which gave me and others nearby a good laugh. Mr. Paul then said, “Thank you, Miss Traci, for letting me share to the end. Not many people do.” Had I not taken the time to go over and meet Mr. Paul, he, myself, and others would have missed the opportunity to be blessed. I’m grateful that the fruit of Spirit could be seen in action.
I pray that we all find those “Mr. Paul” moments where we turn away from our own desires, and instead lean into the Holy Spirit’s leading. And when we do so, may the grace of God and love of Christ be evident in us and produce good fruit.
As followers of Jesus in the Church of the Brethren, we aim to live by the Spirit and join Jesus in the neighborhood. Learn more about our mission and ministry at www.brethren.org/greatthings or support our work today at www.brethren.org/give.h
