Belief in the Local Church

“Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23, NIV). “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35, NIV). Several months ago, someone shared with me the idea of a sermon series that would explore the basic beliefs of the Christian faith through the lens of the local congregation. This idea captured my attention and I began planning a way to gather feedback from my local church community concerning core Christian beliefs. We decided that every week of the series, note cards would be passed out in church, written on by the congregation, collected in the offering, and integrated into my sermons. Five minutes of reflection time were provided for each week’s topic before the cards were collected. In each sermon, I made it my goal to use as many of the cards as possible, reading from them directly.

We explored numerous topic including: what we believe about the Trinity (Luke 3:21-22), God’s self-revelation in Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2), God’s creative action (Genesis 1:1-5), God as both loving and just (John 3:13-17; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5), life in light of the Incarnation and Cross (John 1:14-18; Acts 2:22-24, 32-33, 36-39), and hope for the future in the kingdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 15:22-26).

The results of this project were very fruitful. The congregation was able to explore each topic in light of many, insightful and personal affirmations of belief. Through this intentional sharing of our beliefs we recognized one another’s passion and depth of insight into essential elements of our faith. We grew in our ability to identify what inspires us and shapes our view of the world. We were also better able to grasp how vital Christian community is in filling gaps in our knowledge of God.

After the series ended, all of the note cards were organized thematically and collected into a booklet and distributed to the congregation. I encouraged each person in the church to keep a copy of it with there Bible and read through it periodically.

If you are looking to engage your congregation in new ways that both build community and knowledge of the Christian faith please consider doing a belief series. It is can feel daunting at first, but the excitement and growth that result from sharing beliefs as the body of Christ is well worth it. Personally, I am convinced that corporate ways of sharing our beliefs help us make even deeper connections between our faith and witness in serving and reaching out to others.

The Gift of New Life

One of the most powerful experiences I can claim as a dad is having watched my children being born. Each time I found myself marveling at their entry into this world and being in awe of their tiny features and sounds. It is a very short moment in time, but leaves a very large impression of the beauty of God’s gift of new life.

We may remember that in the opening chapters of Genesis God created life on earth, taking chaos and unlivable space and transforming it into livable space where we could thrive. God was pleased with this gift of new life and called it tov, which is the Hebrew word for “good.” Then he rested from His work of creation.

I was struck recently when I compared the Genesis account of creation with my experience at the birth of my childen. In both cases there were elements of chaos, transformation, and rest. When a mother holds and feeds her newborn child it is tov. When a family gathers to meet their newest member it is tov.

It is important for us to share stories of the good things that God has done in our lives. What are the experiences that we can describe as tov? What do we believe about God’s transforming work in our lives? Has He brought us or is He bringing us from chaos into rest? Have we experienced marvel and awe in the signs and examples of new life around us?

Please consider sharing your stories of new life with others. May each of us experience God’s gift of new life in many ways.

Communion and Renewal

Not long ago, at a meeting at church we discussed the importance of communion. In John 6, Jesus teaches us that it is important to receive the bread of heaven (Jesus’ gift of Himself for us). We receive the bread of heaven every time we share in the communion meal. Sometime we do this without realizing its potential to be a source of renewal in our lives.

In the Confession of Faith in Mennonite Perspective we read that communion is a “sign by which the church thankfully remembers the new covenant which Jesus established by his death” and renews the “covenant with God and with each other” (article 12). We are also told that communion “re-presents the presence of the risen Christ in the church,” helping us recognize that our “life is sustained by Christ, the bread of life” (article 12). Finally, we are told that in celebrating communion we are looking “forward in joy and hope to the feast of the redeemed with Christ in the age to come” (article 12).

Communion provides us with a powerful way to connect with our Lord and with one another. It helps us recognize our need for God’s grace and deepen our commitment to love one another. Anabaptists have recognized this since the earliest days of the Protestant Reformation. Thomas Finger describes it this way: “[early Anabaptists] often experienced the Risen Jesus’ spiritual presence among them through these communal and material channels [communion and baptism]…realities at the heart of Christian life [which] strengthened the community to live them out” (“Are Mennonites sacramental?,” The Mennonite, September, 2004).

I would like to invite you and the broader church to approach communion with new and fresh expectations for what God is doing in our lives through it. In addition, let’s remember to celebrate the powerful and rich message communion offers us about Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection banquet in heaven.

           

The Greek word for communion is eucharistia, which literally means “thanksgiving.” Let’s gather at the Lord’s table to share in communion and receive God’s rich blessings in our lives. Prepare to encounter God in the breaking of bread and experience the Holy Spirit’s renewal.

What is the Gospel?

We can find great purpose in the question: “what is the gospel?” The Anabaptist tradition offers a healthy appreciation of many dimensions of the gospel: a gift of grace (Galatians 1:6-9, 2:11-21), a new way of being community (James 1:19-27), life in the Spirit (Romans 8:1-17), sharing the message of God’s goodness with others (Matthew 5:13-16; 2 Timothy 1:7-9; 1 Peter 3:15-16), creating a place of belonging for people of all ages (Acts 21:1-6; 1 Timothy 5:1-4), and serving others with our spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). Perhaps one of the greatest emphases of the tradition though has been on the connection between the gospel and discipleship.

Dallas Willard captures this connection beautifully in his book The Divine Conspiracy in which he writes: “Discipleship to Jesus [is] the very heart of the gospel. The really good news for humanity is that Jesus is now taking students in the master class of life. The eternal life that begins with confidence in Jesus is a life in his present kingdom, now on earth and available to all” (pg. xvii). Willard’s book is a wonderful response to the question “What is the Gospel? He reminds us to enter the eternal kind of life now, avoid gospels of sin management, escape the deceptions of reputation and wealth, and find a place in the community of prayerful love. His passion for discipleship resonates with the Anabaptist heritage and spirituality.

I recently presented a sermon series that is largely inspired by Willard’s book, The Divine Conspiracy. It provided a lens to look through in examining what it means to be a witness and follower of Jesus. Please consider reflecting on the question afresh: “What is the Gospel?” As you ask this question expect to hear many wonderful answers lived and spoken in God’s Word, through the Holy Spirit, and by your brothers and sisters in Christ. I know I experienced this during this series.

Three Reasons to Grow in Community

Every week, Sunday school teachers and volunteers gather to create opportunities for people of all ages in congregations to learn more about God. A similar thing also happens during the week when small groups, Bible study participants, and others take time to grow in their faith together. An important observation to make about this is that these people have found something valuable in community for their spiritual journey. What is it that they have found?

I cannot speak for everyone, but for me three dynamics are at work when we learn about God with others: first, the Spirit dynamic (when two or more are gathered in Christ’s name our experience of God’s presence is heightened), second, the Word dynamic (when believers discuss scripture together they have a richer potential for gaining insight and understanding), and finally the Community dynamic (when people grow together new and greater possibilities open up for support, fellowship, and friendship). I would like to unpack each of these dynamics below.

Spirit dynamic: The apostle Paul describes the Christian community as a body with many members (1 Corinthians 12). Each member of the body is connected with the others (needing to receive important things from them) and has a unique contribution to make for the good of the others. We can expect for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully in us in a special way when we take time to interact with and serve each other. If we make time to grow together the Spirit will help us experience God’s grace through others and find fulfillment in using our gifts for the benefit of the community. 

Word dynamic: The author of Ecclesiastes says: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other…A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12, NRSV). As this passage suggests, we can gain greater wisdom, understanding, and insight and be encouraged and strengthened in exceptional ways when we grow together. When we gather around the Word we can expect for God to speak powerfully through our sharing, questions, and attentiveness to the promise of new life. 

Community dynamic: Growing in community plays a vital role in replenishing our energy and offering support, encouragement, and inspiration. Many of us have benefited from this as we have shared our lives with others in Sunday school or small groups, received prayer, gone deeper in our understanding of God’s Word, and enjoyed fun times of fellowship. Many churches highly value relationships and the mutual support that individuals can give and receive through doing life together. Churches are able to enjoy these blessings when space is provided for connecting their individuals. If your church is not doing this already consider exploring it and be prepared for renewal and growth as you make space for connecting people through Christ in the dynamic relationship of Spirit, Word, and Community.

Alive to God's Goodness

Have you ever felt fully alive to the world around you: the brilliant colors of the blue sky and the crisp green leaves on the trees, alive to the people around you: the richness of their humor, creativity, and friendship, and alive to God’s presence and love that make life joyful.

Jesus teaches us many times in the gospels that God’s intent for us is that every area of our lives be transformed. God wants us to have peace through restoration and forgiveness, healing and resurrection, a place in His family, a transformed world, a new creation. Salvation is so good because it offers humanity a vision of life as it was intended to be lived. Life characterized shalom (peace/wholeness) among peoples and between creation and its Creator.

Our task as followers of Jesus is to remember and rediscover the goodness and richness of the gospel message for our own lives (the story of God achieving salvation for us in Christ) and to share its blessings with others. When we do this we will be able to echo the words of Paul: “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us…He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus” (2 Cor. 4:7, 14, NRSV). The next time you notice the beauty of God’s creation or the kindness of the people around you, consider the goodness of God’s salvation in Christ poured out on you. May Christ inspire our living and give us peace.