Everything that God creates has a purpose; from the tiniest insect to the blue whale, all living beings are made to glorify God. And God creates not only individual creatures, but communities of living things, binding them together in organic systems that reflect the right order of God. Christ draws us into new, covenant relationships …
When we invite Christ into our midst, we can expect to be changed. As we open the door for Jesus to enter in, he transforms us inside and outside; God’s refining fire works for our redemption as individuals and as communities. But that is not the end of the story. Christ’s ministry of reconciliation will …
Read more “Membership, Covenant and Engagement: Engaging with the World”
As we discover the amazing presence of Christ that dwells within us and among us, we are witnesses not only to the love of Jesus, but also to the cleansing and guiding power of his Light. Like his early disciples, we experience him walking alongside us, our ever-present Guide and Friend. Like the early Church, …
Read more “Membership, Covenant and Engagement: Receiving and Discerning Prophetic Witness”
The night before Jesus was to be tortured and executed by the religious and imperial authorities, he gathered one last time with his disciples, to break bread and to bless his beloved brothers and sisters who would soon become the first members of the Church. Jesus spoke not only to those gathered that evening, but …
Read more “Membership, Covenant and Engagement: Love One Another”
In the Bible, the primary way in which God has relationship with humanity is through covenant. A covenant is an agreement between two parties, traditionally formalized by the shedding of blood through animal sacrifice.(1) It was by covenant that God had a special relationship with Abraham and his descendants, and it was through covenant that …
Read more “Membership, Covenant and Engagement: Living in Covenant”
Transformation in CommunityAs we accept the Good News that Jesus is present with us today, we are called to make radical changes in our lives. These changes go far deeper than any that we could effect on our own, touching not only our outward behavior, but also our inward life. And the Holy Spirit is …
Read more “Membership, Covenant and Engagement: Membership in the Body”
The Search for Depth and MeaningThere is a hunger in western society today for a sense of purpose and belonging that goes deeper than the daily grind. We live in a world that is overwhelmingly focused on profit and appearance rather than service and substance. While some of us are fortunate to have paid work …
Read more “Membership, Covenant and Engagement: Introduction”