Our faith isn’t perfect. We haven’t achieved everything. We are still a work in progress. Rather than resting on the past or holding on to what we have, let’s put everything on the line again for Jesus.
Brothers and sisters, as I said, I know I have not arrived; but there’s one thing I am doing: I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission.
Philippians 3:13 (The Voice)
Our mission statement is still: Love people and invite them to join us in a growing relationship with Jesus. We believe God wants us to focus on the second half of the statement this year: “us, in a growing relationship with Jesus.”
Relentlessly pursue Jesus
This year we are going to lean more into a growing relationship with Jesus.
No matter how old we are, or how long we’ve walked with Jesus, he has more growth he wants for us. How can we make sure our spiritual growth really is life-long? In 2024 we’ll explore some habits, practices and rhythms of life to invest in our relationship with him.
Along the way we don’t want to lose sight of opportunities to invite others to join. We’ll be ready to welcome people with warm hospitality and to introduce them to Jesus.
Make time for friendship
This year we are going to spend more time together, building healthy relationships.
The social fabric of our church is thinner than ever before. People are isolated, lonely and disconnected, but many aren’t even aware of this, or how negatively it is affecting them. In 2024 we want to fight the trend towards loneliness by weaving ourselves together into healthy friendships and communities.
Some of the challenges in this will be creating time, lowering walls we’ve put up to people and being willing to walk with the wounded.
While some of our sermons, services and programs will help us move forward in these areas, this isn’t something ‘the church’ can do for you. Relentlessly pursuing Jesus and making time for friendship is something we all need to take seriously and take steps towards in our everyday lives.
Will you go all in this year? All in on Jesus and all in on community?
As part of relentlessly pursing Jesus, we are introducing The Transformation Trek
Are you ready to join us on an exciting journey of discovery and growth in your faith? The Transformation Trek is a series of practices and rhythms of life that will help you explore, grow, and connect with others on this journey with Jesus. We’ll be looking at Jesus’ character and teachings, aiming for alignment of heart, mind and action with his life.
Pastor Steve Gray at Burleigh Church of Christ has been developing and practicing The Transformation Trek for years. Other churches like ours have joined in along the way and we are grateful to Steve and Burleigh for offering these resources to us. You can find out more at www.transformationtrek.online
We’ll introduce the first practice of The Transformation Trek on Sunday 11th February.
As part of making time for friendship, we are highlighting small groups this year
Walking The Transformation Trek together urges us to gather in smaller groups; intimate, trusted communities, which are a crucial element of discipleship. We encourage everyone to find a small community that can help them grow in their faith and connect with others on a deeper level.
We can help you find, or form, a small group where you can share your struggles and victories, ask questions, and grow in your faith alongside others. We believe that this is where transformation can truly take hold and we can’t wait to see how God will work in and through your life as you journey with us.
Group discussion guide for Vision Sunday, February 4 2024
- After hearing about our church’s focus for the year, what’s one thing you’re looking forward to?
- Read and reflect on Philippians 3:13. Here it is in The Voice translation, and you may like to compare it with another translation of the Bible,
“Brothers and sisters, as I said, I know I have not arrived; but there’s one thing I am doing: I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission.” - What does putting everything on the line for Jesus mean to you personally?
- Share about a time in your life that you remember growing a lot in your relationship with Jesus.
- What habits, practices, or rhythms of life do you already have that help you relentlessly pursue Jesus?
- When have you felt most connected to church community?
- How can you create time for friendship in your busy life? How can we do this as a group and with others in the church?
- Spend time praying for each other.
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