Last Sunday was the anniversary of Logan Uniting Church and
it was great to remind ourselves of who we are and how God is shaping us as His
people. The picture below illustrates how God is shaping us as a church. Every
part of this diagram is necessary if we are to be effective in participating
with the Holy Spirit in drawing people to Christ.
As a model for discipleship it also reminds us that participating
in covenant relationships that genuinely
encourage and challenge us in following Christ (faith life group or IFFF);
sharing Christ and the joy we have in Him with those who don’t know Christ (fun
life groups and friendships); gathering together to praise God and reflect on
His word (faith event – corporate worship); and connecting with Christ
personally in prayer and personal engagement with the bible; are all critical
dimensions of growing and living as a disciple of Christ.
I have recently been reflecting on the way in which our wider
community is in such a different place to 5 years ago. The Global Financial
Crisis, the floods, cyclone and the number of job cuts recently in Queensland
(along with the pressures of life, increases in costs and the global
uncertainties we live in) have deeply shaken people’s confidence. At same time
facebook and the iphone (smart phone), ipad etc. have dramatically changed the
way we communicate and think. In this sort of context I believe a church that
is focussed on developing genuine relationship with God and each other and a
passion to serve the broken and those who don’t know Christ is the one that has
a future. All the “trappings” that we have at times associated with “Church”
have far less relevance – basically loving God and others deeply, honestly and
sacrificially is what matters.
May God help you and me and “us” keep the main thing the
main thing
Yours in Christ
Graham Keech
