Jamie's Column January 2006

In my annual report this year I will be highlighting three priorities I believe we should focus on as a church in the coming years. One of those priorities is promoting our church's image and identity in the community as a church with the following characteristics:

1. A community of caring, joyful followers of Jesus in whose fellowship friendships are nourished, sin forgiven, good news shared, and love is freely bestowed upon all.
2. A congregation of people with great generosity of mind and spirit, recognizing the faithfulness of others who have found different pathways into the life of God, and realizing their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us.
3. A community of extravagant hospitality in which the invitation to worship and share in the life of the church is extended to all without insisting that they become like us in order to be acceptable here.
4. A gathering of people who know that the way we behave toward one another is the fullest expression of what we believe.
5. A church dedicated to gestures of peace and reconciliation in the human family, justice among all people, and the protection and restoration of the integrity of God's creation.

I believe there are growing numbers of people who are looking for a church home with these distinctive attributes but who don't know where to find them. Unfortunately, the popular image of the Christianity in America today is that of a closed minded, dogmatic, judgmental community that is afraid of diversity. So we need to get the word out that we are not that kind of church. We need to let people know in a variety of ways that we care for each other, welcome folks wherever they are on their life's journey, are more interested in acts of faithfulness rather than "test" of faith, and try to emulate the example of Jesus, the one in whom we have seen most clearly what a life filled with God looks like.

I hope you will join me in claiming and sharing this dream of what our church can be for people hungry for fellowship, love, acceptance, joy, and caring. The benefits of membership and participation in our congregation are huge. We have Good News to share. So let's begin 2007 committed to inviting and welcoming those seeking the good things we have to offer.

In God's peace,

Jamie