Well, we had 182 of us head out to extend grace throughout the Twin Cities. People are amazed at the fact we’d be willing to demonstrate faith in real ways. I think the church (generally and nationally speaking) has been too inward focused over the years and penned up in their buildings. We’re beginning to take steps to turn the tide and live out the call of Jesus to our world. It’s exciting to be at GCR these days!
On Saturday we’re assembling at GCR for our next “Extend Grace Day”. We started this last Fall with the desire to mobilize us all in practical service throughout the Twin Cities. Too often Christian faith is something we do in buildings and classrooms. Our vision as a church is to expand our faith into real life and practical action. Extend Grace Day is one way to touch our communities with the grace and love of Jesus.
A couple of weeks ago I told you that our staff team would be getting away for a chance to “regroup”. It’s now been a little over a week since our “regroup retreat”, but I realized I didn’t tell you much about it.
Yesterday we began week one of our new “compelled” series. This first week’s focus was on the “heart” – what kind of heart do we have for others? I’ve found in my own life that if I start with just adding a bunch of actions or new habits that they rarely “stick” if the heart isn’t there. We must start with how we view life, how we view others and how we relate with God.
I’m not sure how it really happens and it probably has a lot more to do with perception than anything else, but it “feels” good to be a part of Grace Church lately! This morning I sensed the Spirit of God moving in our midst and as I watched the “extend grace day” video at the end I got this overwhelming sense of “yes”! What is “yes”? I’m not completely sure. But there seems to be a growing reality of more and more people who exercise their faith than ever before. When I came to Grace two and a half years ago part of my heart and vision was to see us become a church that lives our faith. And I’m really looking forward to Saturday, because our “extend grace days” seem to be a great picture of the church in action/ motion. I’m also really getting excited about Easter – as I saw people at all three services coming to the white boards writing names of people they hope to invite, I started to get this sense of anticipation. What if? I mean what if God chose to bless us with 100 new people, many of whom are far from God. And what if we would have the opportunity to both show and tell those folks about Jesus and His unending, everlasting love?! Wow!
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