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In any group or organization, it becomes important for everyone to have a knowledge and belief of the vision. Otherwise, you will aim at nothing and you will hit nothing. Unfortunately, it is also easy to see only our own corner and miss seeing the total picture. A vision for the whole body may be available but it can get lost in the shuffle. Then people ask the question, “What is our purpose and what is our goal?” Little Church on the Lane has had a vision for many years and we have actually been moving towards it. Our vision is to help people seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and then help the believers become equipped for service. We have seen many people express the joy of a personal relationship with Christ over the past 5 years. This comes from new believers and those who have seen church as a religion or organization. The area which needs the most work is in the training of the body. This means training people in how to serve and in what manner. It also means teaching so that others teach others. As the Board continues to study what helps to strengthen and grow a church, it has become apparent that our vision needs to be expressed more clearly and in its totality. The vision statement has a plan and it is biblically grounded. Everything we do lends itself towards encouraging a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And how we mature is seen in how we equip one another to serve him. Anything short of this shows a lack of success on our part.
To seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, preparing the Body for works of service. -Pastor Steve
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A Letter From Our Pastor
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Thanksgiving is a season that causes us to stop and look at the blessings that have been laid before us, hopefully leading us to God as the creator of those blessings.
In Ephesians, Paul continually reminds us that we are the body of Christ and that we are called to bestow blessings upon others, using the gifts that Christ has given us. Our gifts are not for our use but for the use of the body.
Ephesians 4 tells us that we are to be humble, gentle, and patient, bearing with one another in love (v. 2). I do not know about you, but I'm not sure if this is how people would describe me to others. I notice, upon further reflection, that this is really a command that we are given, not a suggestion. This prompted me to take inventory of what I was not doing. Sitting in my chair at the office I asked myself this question: "What would be different about my life if I was known for my 'gentleness' instead of a host of other things?" This led to many thoughts; however, the one that created the most passion for me was the hope that one day my children, Hannah and Sam, will be able to describe me using the word "gentleness." At that moment, I knew that changing was not a suggestion; rather, I am commanded to witness "gentleness" to my family.
In Ephesians 4:1, Paul implores us to live a life "worthy of the calling" we have received. Christ desires to see us reflect His glory and not our own. We have been and are given "grace" in order to make a difference in the world around us, especially in our family. There may be a different word that pops up for each of you in our study of Ephesians. As the weather gets colder and you have opportunity to sit by a fire or cover up with a blanket, reflect on Ephesians 4:2, asking how our lives could be different if people described us using these words:
"Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love."
Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) |
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