Sunday’s Recap, Monday’s Call

September 28th, 2026

Sunday’s Recap: Collaboration

Guiding Scripture: Luke 10:1–11; Mark 6:30–44

We are in week two of our Changemakers series, where we are exploring how everyday people of faith and congregations turn what they care about into real change. Last week, we discussed how making positive change always begins with compassion and seeing the places in our world that need change. Yesterday, we recognized that making change is not something we must, nor should, do alone.

Jesus began his ministry on Earth by finding followers. While Christ may have had the power to accomplish many great deeds on his own, he chose his disciples to learn from him, grow from him, and, most importantly, see that they could also accomplish many great deeds even when Jesus was no longer with them on Earth. Jesus feeds the crowd of 5,000 not simply by multiplying food, but by working through his disciples, who were involved in each part of the miracle.

Luke seems to extend this idea to all who follow Jesus, not just the twelve disciples. When Jesus sends out 72 followers to go out and be like Christ, the invitation seems clear: anyone who follows Christ at any time can go and do likewise. Of course, our context has shifted. It is up to us to discern what going out and being like Christ looks like for us within our own contexts.

And perhaps the most important message of collaboration within this story is not that 72 followers went out working together on the same mission, but rather that they went out with nothing. They had no resources: no money, no provisions, not even sandals to walk in. Jesus gave the people they were serving the chance to serve them. Therefore, the greater message of collaboration for the church today is that we should not assume we are the only ones with something to give others. Further, such assumptions can lead to unhealthy power dynamics and religious harm.

On another note about stewardship, this story seems to tell us not to allow the fear of a lack of resources to prevent us from going out to be changemakers. Of course, within our context, resources matter. Yet, I always find that when a community comes together for something they truly care about, there is always abundance. Whether that abundance reflects what we think we need here and now is another story. But perhaps in our changemaking work, we too should be open to whatever provisions are offered to us and find a way to make it work.

I believe the invitation for collaboration expands far beyond any one church, denomination, or religion. When we recognize the same suffering and share a desire to respond to it, we have a basis for collaboration that makes us who follow Chris more like him.

Monday’s Call

This week, our invitation is to pay attention to where God is calling us to work in collaboration with others, whether that be with fellow church friends, friends outside the church, or someone completely new. By now, I hope you have found a place where you feel compassion and see a need for positive change. Who can you collaborate with to make that happen?

As you move through your week, consider trying one or more of these spiritual practices:

• 🤝 From Compassion to Collaboration: Last week, you were invited to notice where there was suffering in the world. From that place of compassion, make a list of individuals or groups you can partner with to make a real impact. For example, if you feel compassion toward those who are unhoused, who are the people or groups who share a similar compassion? In the case of homelessness, you might write down Family Promise of Salt Lake or Urban Crossroads’ FACE Hunger and Homelessness group.
• 🤙Make a New Connection: With your list of people who share a similar compassion as you, reach out and see how you can offer your resources to contribute to real change within our community. If your compassion is with the unhoused, volunteering for Family Promise’s upcoming gala would be a great connection to make!
• ✍️ Reflect and Journal (By Rev. Kathi McShane):
  • In the story of the feeding of the 5,000, why do you think Jesus went through the steps of asking his disciples about food, having them find a little bit, and then having people rearrange their seating? Wouldn’t it have been more efficient for Jesus to just miraculously produce the meal? What was important to Jesus here?
  • “If you want to go fast, do it alone. If you want to go far, do it together.” How have you seen the truth of this proverb in your own life? How are you first naturally inclined to work: alone or together?
  • Would our church’s work be enhanced if we partnered with others in our community? What are the risks of doing that? What are the benefits?
• ⭐ Bonus: Explore the Changemaker’s Initiative website to learn more about the movement that inspired this series: The Changemaker Initiative

May we draw upon God’s compassion and collaborate to make positive change.