FOUR THINGS:
There are all kinds of wonderful things our church does. But if we could only call everyone to four things, here's what they would be.
1. JESUS
Keep your first love, your first love. Don't just try to learn about Him. Read the Bible to see and know Jesus. Listen to Him. Express your heart to Him in prayer. Keep a meaningful and growing connection with Him! This is the most important thing ever.
2. SUNDAYS
Ever since the resurrection of Jesus (which happened on a Sunday!), worship and teaching have changed forever. We gather as a whole church on Sundays to encounter Jesus together in worship and to be equipped by His word to live lives that bring His message and ministry into the rest of the week.
3. DNA RELATIONSHIPS
DNA stands for Discipling, Nurturing, and Accountability. Every follower of Jesus needs at least 1-2 others in their life who they can connect deeply with. This takes effort, intentionality, and vulnerability. But can we develop as followers of Jesus without these kinds of things? The character of Christ is formed in us as we get together to open our lives to each other in care and growth.
4. GOSPEL INTENTIONALITY TOGETHER
It seems that one of the strongest apologetics for our faith today is community. Your life can bear witness to Jesus alone, but when you team up on mission with others, your effectiveness is multiplied. Maybe there are other followers of Jesus in your part of town that, together, you could love and serve your neighbourhood with. Or, maybe there are other co-workers or people in the same field or with the same hobby that you could partner with to reach others in that same mission field. Imagine the potential of common mission groups throughout the Comox Valley. Or, for those who remember our new-Latin attempt: Promximus Maximus Togethermus!
These four things seem strategically able to help us fulfill the most vital parts of our collective doing and being. More importantly, they help us and others to see Jesus.