We are going there Together! by Pastor Susan Fochler

At our recent Elder Retreat, Pastor Brent led the elders in looking deep into who we are as a church, and from there we formulated the Vision Statement above.  One of the underlying themes that kept coming up is that we are going there together!

We are learning relationship, together
In seeking to encounter God, in exploring what it means to be family and in discovering the fullness of Who Christ is in us, we are together in this journey.  As Leif Hetland reminded us last year, everything in the Kingdom is a matter of the heart.  God is first and foremost relational.  We are created to be in relationship with Him, and with one another.  Together, interconnected.  We learn from one another, encourage, inspire and sometimes challenge each another.  Most of us did not come from a family background that gave healthy examples of communication and connection, so we are learning now, with God's love and Holy Spirits help.

We are growing up into Christ, together
In growing relationships with one another, we are growing up into Christ, as His one Body.  We are the clothes He chooses to wear here on planet earth, and we each wear a different outfit that expresses a unique facet of His glorious presence.  We surely are altogether lovely; (as we) look to Him we are radiant; (our) faces shall never blush for shame or be confused! (Ps. 34:5 AMP)

Keeping our love (and vulnerability) on: for others and ourselves
Those days when I have lost my focus it is typically because I have felt disconnected from God, and then start disconnecting from my own heart.   It is a matter of not allowing myself to be vulnerable with God, which makes me  lose touch with who I really am to Him.  But often one of you has come alongside to help remind me that I still belong.  By accepting me, showing patience and simply being present.  This is, perhaps, our biggest challenge: to keep the connection with Him, and one another, and refuse to engage with our old independent, self-protective ways.

A quote from Madeleine L'Engle is a good reminder to me:  "When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown up we would no longer be vulnerable.  But to grow up is to accept vulnerability.  To be alive is to be vulnerable."

We all Belong
Romans 8:15-17 from the Message gives an awesome expression of this temporary life we are living as His supernatural, beloved family:

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?"  God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are: We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children.  And we know we are going to get what's coming to us--an unbelievable inheritance! 

With Courage, Compassion and Connection we can do it!
Yes we are going there together, and our Good God will give us all the courage, compassion and ability to connect that is needed! 

Love,
Susan