Pastors’ Meeting in Freudenstadt, Germany, May 22, 2019

At the ministerial meeting this year I had the opportunity to present the material "I am my sister’s keeper?" This is something that is designed to help former and inactive church members to return to the church by being loved back. I had pondered how to introduce the subject, but finally I decided to simply start with the story of my youngest sister, who left the church many years ago and without whom I cannot imagine spending eternity. I had not expected my feelings to overwhelm me, but maybe it was due to the tears in my eyes that I had everybody’s attention. Starting with the story of Cain, I led them to the lost sheep from the parable of Jesus, which in God's eyes is just as worth investing in as any woman and man who turns his back on God and the church for whatever reason. After the presentation, I got a lot of hints on how valuable my part was - because many people feel the same way: they have to "do without" sisters and brothers who are close to their hearts and with whom they would like to be together with Jesus.
Even more wonderful was the experience I had when I started my computer after lunch: many pastors requested the material which I was happy to pass on. The material is available in various forms: for women's groups, so that the women in their communities can train other women in this subject (with pictures that appeal to women) and one more neutral version, if women's leaders or even they themselves wanted to speak in front of the entire church family about this issue. How nice that we as men and women can work together for God to seek and find the lost sheep of the house of God. What joy there is in heaven when people stand up together to help others. Reported by Jasmin Stanoschefsky, Women’s Ministries Director, Baden-Württemberg Conference