Prior Editions
June 15, 2005
The
Discipleship Adventure – Building
Godly Relationships
This week, we are continuing our conversation about
the Discipleship Adventure. Our new leader, Bishop John Schol, is
leading us by God's grace through this experience and is asking us to take
seriously the church's call to "become more like Christ by loving God
completely, and treating everyone as a friend."
Last week we talked about Celebration and Worship. This week let's
focus on another aspect of the journey - Connection. Recently, we
have been using the word fellowship to describe the ways that God works
through our relationships to connect us to other believers in the body of
Christ. Our mission statement says it well; "building Godly
relationships," means that disciples of Jesus Christ reach out to
each other and are known for their love toward one another.
This connection is the basis of all our relationships in the Church
community. We capture that image beautifully when we talk about
becoming family. Through our adoption by God into the family we are
given a new and unique identity [Romans 8:23]. We are truly
transformed by God and made into a people whose purpose is fellowship with
God and fellowship with one another.
Most completely that transformation and adoption are symbolized by church
membership. The public affirmation of membership is more than the
act of joining a civic group or a club. It is a publicly
demonstrative way to announce your adoption into the fellowship that God
has created for you. Fellowship with other believers is not optional
for disciples. We are called to believe, but we are also called to
belong. Membership in a church body is the way we show our
commitment to "belonging", and avoid the traps of loneliness,
apathy, and inaction.
Just as church membership is more than just "joining,"
fellowship is more than just church membership. The goal of the
Discipleship Adventure is not to get your membership card stamped, it is
to become more like Christ; it's a journey that takes a lifetime.
It's a journey that shouldn't be (I would even say, can't be!) walked
alone. There is a beautiful and unique world of relationships in the
church with which disciples are intimately involved. The care,
concern, nurture and accountability that we experience in the church are
the means of grace that God uses to transform us into the likeness of
Christ. Romans 15:5-6 says "May the God who gives endurance and
encouragement give you a spirit of unity so that with one heart you may
glorify God." Our goal should not only be lives that are
transformed into the image of Christ. Our goal should be entire
communities that are transformed into the image of Christ to the glory of
God.
That is my prayer for our church community and I believe it is God's
intent. As people come to Christ UMC, may they have a personal
encounter with God and personal, meaningful encounters with the People of
Christ.
Godspeed,
Pastor John
Next: Join the Discipleship Adventure - Growing through Discipleship.
Mid-Week
Musings
An
Occasional bulletin from Christ United Methodist Church