Faith & daily life
At the heart of our faith is the belief that God meets us where we are in all the places and relationships in
which we live, work, play and relate. We pray, support and encourage one another as we grow deeper in faith
and learn to trust God with our whole lives. Some of us are new on the journey; others have been at it for
a while. All of us can find inspiration and hope in the stories of our fellow travelers. FAITH & DAILY LIFE is
featured with stories of God at work in YOUR life.
Challenged to Lead
by Brent McVay
I vividly remember receiving the call from Pam Paulson, Bethlehem’s beloved
Shared Ministry Coordinator. My wife Monica and I were on our way to a date
night in the fall of 2007. I could hear the excitement in Pam's voice. She said I
had been nominated to Bethlehem’s Church Council. She gave me the details,
and then she asked me to prayerfully consider the request. I was honored to be
asked, and after discussing with Monica, I said yes. Fast forward to 2018 and I
will be wrapping-up nearly eight years of service to our church council. What an
amazing and enriching experience! I didn’t realize it at the time, but my service
to Bethlehem would benefit me, my family, my friends, my career and help grow
my faith.
Teagan, Monica, Thomas and Brent
McVay
...Bethlehem gives
people a chance to
lead, learn new skills
and enhance existing
skills in a loving,
faithful and spiritual
environment.
What I’ve learned after all these years is Bethlehem gives people a chance to lead,
learn new skills and enhance existing skills in a loving, faithful and spiritual
environment. I was not in a leadership position at work when I received the call
from Pam, yet I was given this great opportunity to serve and lead at Bethlehem.
Church council gave me an identity at church. I could not just sit in my pew on
Sundays and quickly leave after the service. As a council member, I was pushed
to greet people, initiate conversations and ask questions. It pushed me out of my
comfort zone and challenged me. I connected to people by learning more about
their personal journeys and sharing mine. I developed strong friendships with
the pastors and other council members.
At the same time, l was challenged to take my skills and apply them outside
of the four walls of Bethlehem. This continues to be a challenge for me. I am
more compassionate and a better listener because of my roles at Bethlehem. I’ve
found many co-workers and friends seek me out as a trusted sounding board or
when they just need to talk. The power of connecting with another person is so
rewarding. I frequently tell people they are in my thoughts and prayers, then I
pray for them. I remember Pastor Chris telling me that during his commute, he
would pray for people. I love that memory, and although I can still be impatient
behind the wheel, in my quieter moments, I find myself following Chris’s lead
and praying. I may not evangelize about my faith at work and with my friends,
but I am quietly and compassionately spreading the word one person and one
prayer at a time. People outside of Bethlehem know I am a person of faith, and
today my faith has started to flow more naturally into conversations with co-
workers, friends and family.
We start each council meeting with a devotion and we end each council meeting
holding hands and saying the Lord’s Prayer. It is very powerful, and it brings
us all together with the Holy Spirit. Imagine if you ended each day at home by
holding hands with your family, friends or loved ones and saying the Lord’s
Prayer? I can hardly get my kids to brush their teeth before bed, but I just may
try it. Imagine if you did it at work?
I’ll end with this thought. If you are ever asked to lead at Bethlehem, please
prayerfully consider the request. It may just change your life.
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