What does it mean to be a people of God? This question frames our identity as Christians and as a congregation. What does it mean to be a child of God? That is a beginning point. God loves us and wants to have a relationship, yet we have difficulty breaking out of our limited world-view and being able to experience the reality of God.

The desire to experience God is the root of all spirituality. Christianity is God’s answer. It is not a religions it is a pathway into a vital relationship with God. It is a way for us to actually allow God to become a vital part of our very being. Saint Paul puts it this way: “we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. “ (2 Cor. 6:16) As wonderful as this relationship is, it is not enough. True spirituality also encompasses our relationships with other people inside and outside of the church. It is a way of life. That includes God and expects God to be an active participant.

In the book of Acts the Author describes the life of the early church.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42)

In this short text shows illustrates almost all of the activities and relationships that contribute to the life of a lively congregation today. An easy way to illustrate this is to show how the elements to the Natural Church Development program we are using to help us become a healthier congregation. Peter who brought them together showed the kind of empowering leadership needed to motivate them. People were ministering to one another as God gave them the gifts to do so. They reached out to those outside of their community in ways that invited them into a relationship with Jesus and met their needs at the same time. They met together both in the temple for worship and in each other’s homes in small groups. All of this was organized to meet the needs of the people and shows the loving relationships that continue to be such a vital part of the life of the people of God. Take a look at the passage from Acts and the list of elements needed in the life of a thriving congregation from the Natural Church Development program. It is easy to see that these

elements are timeless and will always help define what it means to be a lively congregation.

1. Empowering Leadership
2. Gift Oriented Ministry
3. Passionate Spirituality
4. Functional Structures
5. Inspiring Worship
6. Holistic Small Groups
7. Need Oriented Evangelism
8. Loving Relationships

Starting with Rally day this month we will be starting a new series that explores what it means to be a Resurrection People. What it means to have a personal spirituality and exercise it within a congregation. The theme of this series is “Picture a Lively Congregation.” During this few weeks we are going to focus on what it means o have a personal and a communal spirituality. It is about our Life with God. There are a number of elements included in this program. First of all, there will be a sermon series that explores both the personal and community aspects of being a Resurrection people. This is one kind of picture.

The second picture we will construct during this period is a visual one. The focus of this segment of the program will be a bulletin board that has pictures of all the members of the congregation and our activities. To create this we will set up a camera where we can have our picture taken for the bulletin board before and after the services on Sunday. This is basically a picture directory of the Church. Hopefully we can use these digital pictures to create a new directory for our church that we will distribute after Christmas.

The third aspect of this will lean toward a more personal spirituality. In line with our focus on Passionate Spirituality this year we will be asking people to find a partner and work through the book of Galatians together. This will be our personal Spiritual Boost. This part of the program also includes a one-time seminar on finding your own personal spiritual style.

Join us this fall as we “Picture a Lively Congregation.” As we discover what it means to be a Resurrection People.

Pastor Jim Bliss
September 2005