Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28
Dear Friends,
Have you ever been sitting in church and asked yourself, “Why am I here?” A lot of Pastors might be intimidated to hear that their congregation members were asking themselves that very question. However, this summer I am encouraging all of you to ask that exact question. But, don’t stop with that one question. Dig a little deeper.
“Who does God want me to be?” “Who does God want us (SHUP) to be?” “What does God want us to do?” “How can we faithfully live out God’s call in our lives to be and make disciples?”
Answers to these questions will help us shape the Mission and Vision of SHUP as we seek to faithfully move into the future that God has planned for us.
The PC(USA) Book of Order has some words that may prove helpful when trying to answer these questions as it describes the Mission of the Church:
“The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--
creates, redeems, sustains, rules, and transforms all things and all people. This one living
God, the Scriptures say, liberated the people of Israel from oppression and covenanted to
be their God. By the power of the Spirit, this one living God is incarnate in Jesus Christ,
who came to live in the world, die for the world, and be raised again to new life. The
Gospel of Jesus Christ announces the nearness of God’s kingdom, bringing good news to
all who are impoverished, sight to all who are blind, freedom to all who are oppressed,
and proclaiming the Lord’s favor upon all creation. The mission of God in Christ gives shape and substance to the life and work of the Church. In Christ, the Church participates in God’s mission for the transformation of creation and humanity by proclaiming to all people the good news of God’s love, offering to all people the grace of God at font and table, and calling all people to discipleship in Christ. Human beings have no higher goal in life than to glorify and enjoy God now and forever, living in covenant fellowship with God and participating in God’s mission.”
As we move into the summer months please consider making time to meet with me or any of the Elders of SHUP to talk about your answers to these questions (perhaps during the Presbyterian 101 Summer Study). I look forward to working and fellowshipping with all of you as we take these next steps together on our faith journey.
In Christ,
PBL
Dear Friends,
Have you ever been sitting in church and asked yourself, “Why am I here?” A lot of Pastors might be intimidated to hear that their congregation members were asking themselves that very question. However, this summer I am encouraging all of you to ask that exact question. But, don’t stop with that one question. Dig a little deeper.
“Who does God want me to be?” “Who does God want us (SHUP) to be?” “What does God want us to do?” “How can we faithfully live out God’s call in our lives to be and make disciples?”
Answers to these questions will help us shape the Mission and Vision of SHUP as we seek to faithfully move into the future that God has planned for us.
The PC(USA) Book of Order has some words that may prove helpful when trying to answer these questions as it describes the Mission of the Church:
“The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--
creates, redeems, sustains, rules, and transforms all things and all people. This one living
God, the Scriptures say, liberated the people of Israel from oppression and covenanted to
be their God. By the power of the Spirit, this one living God is incarnate in Jesus Christ,
who came to live in the world, die for the world, and be raised again to new life. The
Gospel of Jesus Christ announces the nearness of God’s kingdom, bringing good news to
all who are impoverished, sight to all who are blind, freedom to all who are oppressed,
and proclaiming the Lord’s favor upon all creation. The mission of God in Christ gives shape and substance to the life and work of the Church. In Christ, the Church participates in God’s mission for the transformation of creation and humanity by proclaiming to all people the good news of God’s love, offering to all people the grace of God at font and table, and calling all people to discipleship in Christ. Human beings have no higher goal in life than to glorify and enjoy God now and forever, living in covenant fellowship with God and participating in God’s mission.”
As we move into the summer months please consider making time to meet with me or any of the Elders of SHUP to talk about your answers to these questions (perhaps during the Presbyterian 101 Summer Study). I look forward to working and fellowshipping with all of you as we take these next steps together on our faith journey.
In Christ,
PBL
