We have nearly finished our 8 week TXT2GRO series which has been about helping all of us grow in our engagement with the bible. My prayer through this is that we may all grow in hearing God through the bible and in so doing grow in helping others connect with Christ. Below is the power point I used on Sunday the 25th March to help us approach the bible in a way that will best allow God to transform us.
All Scripture is:
1. God-breathed: “God spoke through... in... way, in... day”
2. Able to: make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ
3. Useful for: teaching; rebuking; correcting; training in righteousness.
4. So that: the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Tim 3: 14-17)
As we read the bible we do so humbly asking the Holy Spirit to do all of the above. In particular I encourage you take notice of the “so that” of 2 Tim 3: 17; or in the words of our journaling process, the “so what” and the “now what”. Any reading of the bible that does not enable us live more fully “in Christ a life of goodness and justice” is to miss the point.
I also encouraged people to not ask the bible to answer questions or achieve outcomes that the bible doesn’t ask of itself or indicate it was “God-breathed” to achieve. When read in the light of 2 Tim 3: 14-16 the bible is a powerful tool used by the Holy Spirit to transform us and the world.
The upcoming Presbytery Partnered Appraisal will be a very significant and helpful process for us as a church. We will receive great feedback on how we are going in living out God’s call and purpose.
I have indicated to the Appraisal team that I am personally seeking feedback in particular on:
1. How we are and are not living out God’s vision for us
2. My capacity to help us keep moving forward in God’s vision
3. In the light of the needs of the wider church and what God is doing at Logan Uniting, whether my continuing in the role of Senior Minister is the most helpful
As I have been praying for this Appraisal process, I have a deep sense that I am to listen carefully (and I ask you to do the same). I am genuinely seeking to hear what the best is for Logan Uniting and also for the wider church.
Yours in Christ
Graham Keech
