“Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
As we continue our conversation about King Road’s preferred values, our attention focuses this week to the command found in Jesus’ Great Commission. “Disciple Making - We value discipleship that results in passionate lovers of Christ empowered for ministry - lives that are transformed by God’s Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:18-20; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 5:42)
Discipleship implies teaching and learning, developing, maturing, formal and informal, learning from someone ahead of us in their journey with God (while also building into those following us along the same journey). This value is not unique to King Road – it truly is what God calls all believers to. So, perhaps the better question for us to consider is what discipleship looks like. Consider these questions to help you reflect on this:
- How formal should our congregation’s discipleship plan be?
- How essential is it to match people into mentoring relationships?
- How do you feel about your own discipleship journey? How can the church help and encourage you?
We dream of the result being passionate and empowered people. Yes, this life starts with and relies on the Holy Spirit, but we are called to do our part of equipping and providing opportunities. Are you passionate about your walk with Jesus, as passionate as you are about the Stanley Cup playoffs, World Cup Soccer, or Monday night football? Let’s walk with each other with a sense of purpose! Be bold and purposeful in regard to discipleship and disciple making.
Be encouraged, and share your thoughts as to what disciple making might look like at King Road.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Sacrificial Service
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Another preferred value (or description of who God wants us to be at King Road) that we have articulated is “Sacrificial Service – We value serving others like Jesus served us. This means we are willing to serve God and others regardless of the personal cost. (John 13:12-17; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 1:21; 1 Peter 4:10)”
I would suggest that most people would place a fairly high priority on the value of service, particularly when we find ourselves on the receiving end. We like good service; we complain about poor service. Some of us make consumer choices based more on service than on price. We may tip extra for exceptional service (note to self: perhaps a discussion on generosity is in order!). We readily share our stories of poor service with others. Overall, I would argue that humanity naturally wants good service. Put more bluntly: we like to be served.
However, as a church (as individuals) we need to offer something on the other side of the service equation…the giving side. Scripture has numerous examples of sacrificial service, perhaps none more poignant that Jesus’ journey to the cross. The church throughout history has practiced service. And here we are, in Abbotsford in 2010, also committed to sacrificial service.
BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Might this mean a sacrifice of our time? Will it be inconvenient? Will it mean dealing with a “mess,” whether literally or figuratively? Will it be safe? What will be the personal cost?
How well would you suggest King Road does at sacrificial service? Or perhaps a better question: how can we better model sacrificial service, not only to each other, but also to our community? Please share any and all ideas, and let’s encourage each other to serve sacrificially!
Another preferred value (or description of who God wants us to be at King Road) that we have articulated is “Sacrificial Service – We value serving others like Jesus served us. This means we are willing to serve God and others regardless of the personal cost. (John 13:12-17; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 1:21; 1 Peter 4:10)”
I would suggest that most people would place a fairly high priority on the value of service, particularly when we find ourselves on the receiving end. We like good service; we complain about poor service. Some of us make consumer choices based more on service than on price. We may tip extra for exceptional service (note to self: perhaps a discussion on generosity is in order!). We readily share our stories of poor service with others. Overall, I would argue that humanity naturally wants good service. Put more bluntly: we like to be served.
However, as a church (as individuals) we need to offer something on the other side of the service equation…the giving side. Scripture has numerous examples of sacrificial service, perhaps none more poignant that Jesus’ journey to the cross. The church throughout history has practiced service. And here we are, in Abbotsford in 2010, also committed to sacrificial service.
BUT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Might this mean a sacrifice of our time? Will it be inconvenient? Will it mean dealing with a “mess,” whether literally or figuratively? Will it be safe? What will be the personal cost?
How well would you suggest King Road does at sacrificial service? Or perhaps a better question: how can we better model sacrificial service, not only to each other, but also to our community? Please share any and all ideas, and let’s encourage each other to serve sacrificially!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Loving Relationships
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
“Loving Relationships” is the next of King Road’s preferred values. We have defined it as follows: “We value loving and enjoying people just as Jesus did. Life transformation takes place through compassionate and authentic relationships. Therefore everything we do we will do relationally (1 John 1:7; 1 John 4:9-10; Romans 15:7-8).”
Loving relationships. Authenticity. Fellowship. Community. Openness. Transparency. Honesty. Relational words seem to be all the rage recently. Book after book has been written to address the human need for relationship. You see, God has created us as relational people who need both God and others. The greatest commandment is to love God with everything, but the second greatest commandment focuses on our relationship with others…love our neighbour as ourselves. I don’t think I need to convince anyone of the need for loving relationships.
I would, however, like to ask your help in describing what this looks like in your life. What does a compassionate and authentic relationship look like? I have some ideas, but I’d like to hear yours, so please leave a comment or two! (If you’re not sure where to begin, why not list a “one-another” found in scripture…e.g. forgive one another.) You can also quickly click on a reaction button below this post!
It truly is a blessing to be able to walk together!
“Loving Relationships” is the next of King Road’s preferred values. We have defined it as follows: “We value loving and enjoying people just as Jesus did. Life transformation takes place through compassionate and authentic relationships. Therefore everything we do we will do relationally (1 John 1:7; 1 John 4:9-10; Romans 15:7-8).”
Loving relationships. Authenticity. Fellowship. Community. Openness. Transparency. Honesty. Relational words seem to be all the rage recently. Book after book has been written to address the human need for relationship. You see, God has created us as relational people who need both God and others. The greatest commandment is to love God with everything, but the second greatest commandment focuses on our relationship with others…love our neighbour as ourselves. I don’t think I need to convince anyone of the need for loving relationships.
I would, however, like to ask your help in describing what this looks like in your life. What does a compassionate and authentic relationship look like? I have some ideas, but I’d like to hear yours, so please leave a comment or two! (If you’re not sure where to begin, why not list a “one-another” found in scripture…e.g. forgive one another.) You can also quickly click on a reaction button below this post!
It truly is a blessing to be able to walk together!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Missionary Vision
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
At King Road, we have agreed that “Missionary Vision” is one of our preferred values. Missions has been part of the DNA of King Road for the past 44 years, particularly the commitment to cross-cultural missions. Our commitment to local missions also continues to develop as we practically serve our community (thanks to our youth and young adults for leading the way!)
Our definition of “Missionary Vision” reads as follows: We value a bold, enthusiastic vision of reaching all people with the love of Christ at home and among the nations. We will send, serve and go to whomever He has called us. Playing it safe is not attractive to us.
Send, serve, and go. Strong words. Important words. Challenging words. In order to send people, we need finances (thank you for your giving!) We also need to discern God’s call on people and bless/free them to go. At attitude of service is key, lived out in a willingness to get our hands dirty. Going means stepping out in faith. How would you add to these introductory thoughts around the concepts of sending, serving, and going? Join the conversation!
The last line, however, is what I find most challenging: “Playing it safe is not attractive to us.” If I’m honest, playing it safe is easier and more convenient than stepping into the unknown. How committed are we (am I?) to stepping out in faith, to taking a risk for Jesus? Missionary vision is very closely tied into our dependence on God. Our mouths can readily say that playing it safe is not attractive, but now our actions must give credence to this. What will this look like? God knows! Will someone from our congregation go? I truly believe the answer to this is “YES”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)
At King Road, we have agreed that “Missionary Vision” is one of our preferred values. Missions has been part of the DNA of King Road for the past 44 years, particularly the commitment to cross-cultural missions. Our commitment to local missions also continues to develop as we practically serve our community (thanks to our youth and young adults for leading the way!)
Our definition of “Missionary Vision” reads as follows: We value a bold, enthusiastic vision of reaching all people with the love of Christ at home and among the nations. We will send, serve and go to whomever He has called us. Playing it safe is not attractive to us.
Send, serve, and go. Strong words. Important words. Challenging words. In order to send people, we need finances (thank you for your giving!) We also need to discern God’s call on people and bless/free them to go. At attitude of service is key, lived out in a willingness to get our hands dirty. Going means stepping out in faith. How would you add to these introductory thoughts around the concepts of sending, serving, and going? Join the conversation!
The last line, however, is what I find most challenging: “Playing it safe is not attractive to us.” If I’m honest, playing it safe is easier and more convenient than stepping into the unknown. How committed are we (am I?) to stepping out in faith, to taking a risk for Jesus? Missionary vision is very closely tied into our dependence on God. Our mouths can readily say that playing it safe is not attractive, but now our actions must give credence to this. What will this look like? God knows! Will someone from our congregation go? I truly believe the answer to this is “YES”
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)
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