Community News from Dr. Bob – 02/14/24
Wasn’t Pastor Brett’s sermon this past Sunday inspiring? In case you missed it, he spoke powerfully about a vision for the future of the church—our church and all churches today. Here’s the LINK. Instead of holding on to what was successful in the 80s and 90s, Jesus is calling us to step forward as everyday missionaries into ways of living that will work in the world as it is today. “For the world in front of us is nothing like the world behind us.”
In the past, we have too often waited for the church to begin a program, then we invite people to come, and we hope they will keep coming and get discipled. Pastor Brett painted a clear and compelling picture of a future where we flip that on its head. Instead, we live out our discipleship in the world, loving people, serving people, inviting them to follow Jesus. THEN programs and ministries start out of what God is doing. Jesus didn’t wait for a program, a staff, or a budget. He didn’t have any of those. He simply called his disciples to live as he lived in the world that was already around them, imperfect as it was.
May we have the eyes to see what God is already doing—and what he can be doing through us—and grant us the faith to join him in that work as disciples of Jesus.
Don’t forget that on Monday, Feb 26th, we’ll be hosting a night of prayer and worship. It will be just one hour: from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, but if you’d like to join us for dinner beforehand, you can come at 6pm. We expect it to be an inspiring time of coming together before God in a posture of worship and listening.
In the meantime, pray along these lines together as we reflect together on the spread of the early church in Acts:
- So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)
- But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. (Acts 12:24)
- The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. (Acts 13:49)
- In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. (Acts 19:20)
Sincerely –
Dr. Bob
