January 13th, 2024
by Matt Miofsky
by Matt Miofsky
When we want to make a change in our lives we mistakenly believe that we need to take big immediate action in order to get there. But change is usually the result not of sudden and dramatic action, but of small steps. A principle of sustaining change in our lives or in the world is starting small.
I have been reflecting on this principle ahead of this week’s sermon as well as MLK Day. The Civil Rights movement is full of people who took bold and dramatic action to confront discrimination, Jim Crow racism, and institutional white supremacy. We rightly celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a paramount champion for justice and leader against the evil of racism. He worked on behalf of civil and human rights that spanned racial discrimination, voting, desegregation, labor rights, the Vietnam war, and economic injustice. He is also well known for specific bold action – the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the march from Selma, his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington, and his Letter from Birmingham Jail.
But behind every one of these well-known, dramatic moments were small steps that most don’t know about. Behind every famous person demonstrating courageous action were thousands of people largely unknown who showed the same courage. The massive change that the Civil Rights movement fought (and continues to fight) for was the accumulation of many small steps. Over time, small changes can have massive effects.
Roy Wilkins was the longest serving leader of the NAACP and a prominent leader in the Civil Rights Movement. What I didn’t know until recently is that he was born in St. Louis. His father, William, was trained to be a Methodist pastor, but, due to discrimination, could not get work. He ended up in a brick factory here in St. Louis. But this didn’t deter him from resisting evil. One day while walking on the sidewalk he decided not to step aside for a group of white pedestrians as was expected. This refusal to step aside caused him to have to flee town and miss the birth of his son. It was a seemingly small incident, but it impacted Roy who would build on that small step later and leave a 40 plus year legacy working for civil rights. Small changes can have massive effects.
This weekend I will continue our series Clean Slate: New Habits for a New Year by talking about the principle of starting small and how it can lead to dramatic change in our own lives. Last weekend was an incredible kickoff to the year. It will be cold this Sunday but it looks like we will get to worship without any snow! I know there are people in your life that may really need to hear this message. I hope you will send them a note and invite them to join you. Let’s keep up the momentum and I look forward to seeing you in church.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. I encourage you to find a way to serve or learn on MLK Day. There are many local events and volunteer opportunities for you and your family, including one featuring our own Brittany Radford!
I have been reflecting on this principle ahead of this week’s sermon as well as MLK Day. The Civil Rights movement is full of people who took bold and dramatic action to confront discrimination, Jim Crow racism, and institutional white supremacy. We rightly celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a paramount champion for justice and leader against the evil of racism. He worked on behalf of civil and human rights that spanned racial discrimination, voting, desegregation, labor rights, the Vietnam war, and economic injustice. He is also well known for specific bold action – the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the march from Selma, his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington, and his Letter from Birmingham Jail.
But behind every one of these well-known, dramatic moments were small steps that most don’t know about. Behind every famous person demonstrating courageous action were thousands of people largely unknown who showed the same courage. The massive change that the Civil Rights movement fought (and continues to fight) for was the accumulation of many small steps. Over time, small changes can have massive effects.
Roy Wilkins was the longest serving leader of the NAACP and a prominent leader in the Civil Rights Movement. What I didn’t know until recently is that he was born in St. Louis. His father, William, was trained to be a Methodist pastor, but, due to discrimination, could not get work. He ended up in a brick factory here in St. Louis. But this didn’t deter him from resisting evil. One day while walking on the sidewalk he decided not to step aside for a group of white pedestrians as was expected. This refusal to step aside caused him to have to flee town and miss the birth of his son. It was a seemingly small incident, but it impacted Roy who would build on that small step later and leave a 40 plus year legacy working for civil rights. Small changes can have massive effects.
This weekend I will continue our series Clean Slate: New Habits for a New Year by talking about the principle of starting small and how it can lead to dramatic change in our own lives. Last weekend was an incredible kickoff to the year. It will be cold this Sunday but it looks like we will get to worship without any snow! I know there are people in your life that may really need to hear this message. I hope you will send them a note and invite them to join you. Let’s keep up the momentum and I look forward to seeing you in church.
Peace,
Matt
P.S. I encourage you to find a way to serve or learn on MLK Day. There are many local events and volunteer opportunities for you and your family, including one featuring our own Brittany Radford!
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Archive
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
September
Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 1Transitioning...to 47 // M-Note 9.7.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 2Invitations Work in Mysterious Ways // M-Note 9.14.24Students Stepping Up: Getting Involved in Ministry // M-Note 9.21.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 3A Stressful Season // M-Note 9.28.24Worth Sharing Discussion Guide - Week 4
October
It Doesn't Have to Be This Way // M-Note 10.5.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Love Thy Political Neighbor // M-Note 10.11.2024Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Fear is a Powerful Motivator // M-Note 10.19.24Hold These Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Why Do Bad Things Happen? // M-Note 10.26.24Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1
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