Being The Church

This past Sunday we considered “the Church” as we wrapped up the We Still Believe series on our Statement of Faith.  We unpacked the statement, looked at some essentials of the church and finished by considering the importance of church to us, them and most of all to God.  

In the Equipping Hour we discussed the major points of the recent book, “The Other Half of Church” by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks.  The authors make a compelling case for a healthy church community having a giant impact on our spiritual growth (or demise).  Healthy church communities are marked by joy, love, group identity and healthy correction.  This material is so helpful as we consider how to spur one another onward in following Jesus.  

Our group discussion, from my perspective as the teacher, was wonderful.  I facilitated as much as I taught.  The wisdom shared throughout the room was weighty, personal and so helpful.  We considered areas of strength and weakness of our church and of ourselves.  The church was being the church!  Well done.  

I also mentioned a model that I used when directing youth camps (and most ministry really) which consists of FUN, FRIENDSHIP and FAITH.  Each ingredient is necessary and present to encourage growth.  My doctoral professor J. Robert Clinton cemented this philosophy in one of his classes when he gave research to affirm this concept.  He went a step further to say that each area will exponentially expand the other areas when used in a complimentary fashion.  So if I’m wanting deeper friendships, I must add fun and faith in the Lord to attain the best in that area.  More fun?  Worship God with your friends!  Want more Faith?  Be sure to add in your friends and some fun.  You get the general idea.  

God’s heart is that we grow more and more…that we produce more fruit of the Spirit by abiding in Christ together.  Good soil produces good fruit, so lets be sure we have Fun, Friends and Faith in the mix here at HSCC. 

Cheers,

Pastor Danny