Renewing...

Isaiah 43.19 (CEB)
Look! I'm doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don't you recognize it? I'm making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.
I have been meeting with a group from the church that is thinking together on what renewal means for LPCC. Beginning with an understanding that God’s mission in Jesus Christ is to reconcile us all. This reconciliation in Jesus makes us all new creations. We are all invited to live in response to God’s mission.

We really all want better things for the future of the church, however we tend to think that a bigger parking lot or more vibrant worship are the keys to success. Starting from our wants only ends up with our wants met and our need for God goes quietly unnoticed.
Renewal takes us to a deeper level. Renewal invites us to discern, celebrate, and participate in God’s mission afresh. As I have often said the mission of the church never changes, what we do and how we get there will be different. Renewal will ask us to bring the Good News of the Kingdom of God with the real hungers and real challenges of our world. Renewal invites us to be a disciplined community. Renewal invites us to think differently and respond in different ways. Renewal is a call to “all hands on deck” as we move through this process.

Please be in prayer for this group. Please pray for your part that you will be open to what God is doing in and through you. Because this we know: God is about new creations and thankfully you and I are included.

Grace and peace,
Rev. Brian

*Used in whole or in part the material prepared by THE CENTER FOR PARISH DEVELOPMENT, Module: Getting Ready for Renewal: #1 It Starts with God’s Mission.