Pastor's Circle - Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker, Pastor of Trinity AME Church and Director of Outreach and Intercession at AFA, talks about witnessing at Christmastime.

Are there appropriate ways to witness for Christ during Advent?

This time of the year is a great time for us to take advantage of, because people are open. 

There are so many opportunities for God to use us.

The Holy Spirit can use us to do all kinds of witnessing during this time of year. 

Whether it's seed-planting or watering the seeds, we should be pointing people to Jesus.

Is the stress a big factor in our lack of witnessing/

It really is. As in the story of Mary and Martha, we're busy because we choose to be busy. We do what we want to do.

One of the things I think of is on knowhim.afr.net, which is basically for people to be saved or grow in their faith.

But one of the things we've put on there recently is a challenge to people to read through all of the Christmas narratives several times during this month. 

You will learn all kinds of things about Christmas that you didn't know.

Why is it important to do it multiple times?

That creates the classroom that the Holy Spirit wants us to have in our lives so he can teach us.

Not only is this a wonderful story to read at Christmas, it's a wonderful story to teach us about all kinds of issues.

Do you think the stress makes people more or less receptive to the gospel?

I believe they are more receptive. That's why I think it's important for us to emphasize that Christmas is about Christ. Those are seeds that the Holy Spirit will use.

I believe people have a much greater openness to the gospel at Christmas.

How do you encourage your churchgoers to prepare for Christmas?

Going back to what we just mentioned, I really push for them to read through all the Christmas narratives.

Don't just read it once, read it several times. The Holy Spirit will help you dig more and more out of it.

Is it more important to just read it or to meditate on it?

I'm of the opinion that both are important, although taking time is more productive.

God's word is God's word. There's value in reading it once. But there's greater value reading it two and three and four times.

I really like to encourage people to set reading goals.

Does it help to pray for wisdom in reading the Bible?

It does. It's always wise for us to pray the prayer specifically. Just before you read, pray every time. But also take time to think through what you're reading.

In the Gospel of Luke, Luke is writing from the standpoint of a doctor. He deals with pregnancy significantly.

In Matthew, for example, the powerful thing about Joseph is his fatherhood. God doesn't have to send a thousand angels to protect Jesus; he has a man who will listen to him and do what he says. That's what every father is called to do.