Hello, Church!

As we continue to look to the future with a sense of urgency, but not anxiety, we’ve made the decision over the last 2.5 years to double down on the theme of being on a journey together with Jesus. That’s our mission as a church – to provide for everyone who seeks it, a way to follow Jesus together daily in life. For that journey with Jesus to go well, we as a church need to commit to employ three tools: 1) To rely on the scriptures as the authoritative narrative that gives vibrancy to our spiritual life. 2) To practice peacemaking by committing to compassionate candor – caring deeply for one another and lovingly challenging one another. 3) To serve our neighbors near and far with generosity in the Way of Jesus.

What does it mean for us to, “rely on the scriptures…”? The Statement of Shared Convictions of Global Anabaptists says, “As a faith community, we accept the Bible as our authority for faith and life, interpreting it together under Holy Spirit guidance, in the light of Jesus Christ to discern God’s will for our obedience.” Relying on scripture means welcoming the Bible’s story as the taproot of our story. It means we interpret the story together, guided by the Holy Spirit. It means seeking and discerning the Way of Jesus in our interpretive work, accepting no other foundation than the one which has already been laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3.11).

For us, it means that our worship and identity is to be shaped by the story of scripture. It means that our care for one another and mutual belonging together is nestled in the story of God as told in scripture. It means that our missional purpose is found in the commission of scripture to be God’s instrument of healing and hope in a broken and beautiful world.

The journey together with Jesus, toward Jesus, and through Jesus, is not possible if we do not begin with, remain in, and grow through the library of books that points us toward Jesus – the Bible. In our worship, in our formation, in our missional endeavors, may we at Blooming Glen be renown for being a Biblical people. May we be informed by, inspired through, and shaped from the stories of God at work through Jesus to redeem the world by means of His love and grace.

Let’s go, church (and rely on the scriptures for our identity, our belonging, and our purpose)

Pastor Jeff

jeff@bgmc.net

P.S. Come join us Mondays at the A&N Diner (7:30am-8:45am), and Fridays at the Broad Street Grind (3:30pm-4:45pm) to talk about whatever is on your mind. I’d love to hear your story of how the scriptures form your faith, life, and witness.