Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness
Dear Vision Team,
I just finished the first two chapters of Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness. There are some wonderful statements Jerry makes that I think we can reflect on. This is not homework, but if you would like to respond to any of these feel free to do so:
1. “We began to understand that the church was people – real people – changed by the power of Christ…” (pg. 8). What was your understanding of church before you came to Christ? How about five years ago? What about now?
2. “The church is in the world to minister salvation to people” (11). Think about our prayer time using Isaiah 61. This is a prophetic word about the Messiah – Jesus. How do we connect what the church should be to Jesus?
3. “Every time you find a corresponding action to the concept of agape, it is a giving action” (13). We say we love the people of Baltimore, but what should our corresponding action look like compared with what our corresponding action is currently? Are there gaps?
4. After reading chapter two, what is the prophetic voice of Trinity trying to say to our surrounding areas? Why do we exist? If Trinity would go away tomorrow, what would the community miss?
Have a great week,
Pastor Keith
I just finished the first two chapters of Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness. There are some wonderful statements Jerry makes that I think we can reflect on. This is not homework, but if you would like to respond to any of these feel free to do so:
1. “We began to understand that the church was people – real people – changed by the power of Christ…” (pg. 8). What was your understanding of church before you came to Christ? How about five years ago? What about now?
2. “The church is in the world to minister salvation to people” (11). Think about our prayer time using Isaiah 61. This is a prophetic word about the Messiah – Jesus. How do we connect what the church should be to Jesus?
3. “Every time you find a corresponding action to the concept of agape, it is a giving action” (13). We say we love the people of Baltimore, but what should our corresponding action look like compared with what our corresponding action is currently? Are there gaps?
4. After reading chapter two, what is the prophetic voice of Trinity trying to say to our surrounding areas? Why do we exist? If Trinity would go away tomorrow, what would the community miss?
Have a great week,
Pastor Keith
posted by Dr. Keith G Edwards at 5:13 PM
1 Comments:
1. My understanding of the church beforeI came to Christ was a place where the people that belonged just wanted to maintain their closed little group. I also felt like it was a place where people sat in judgement of others. 5 years ago I looked at the church (Trinity specifically) as my family. I was going thru a very difficult time and I was at Trinity anytime the doors were opened (and have been ever since). I looked at Trinity literally as the hands of Christ extended. Today, I look at church as the vehicle where God wants to use me to affect others
2. Understand - really understand, that the church is the "Body of Christ" and that we may be the only "Jesus" the community ever comes in contact with.
3. More emphasis on meeting both spiritual and material needs of the people of Baltimore. Continue to develop relationship with Westside A/G, Reestablish our relationship with Sandtown A/G. Possibly become more involved with Teen Challenge of Baltimore. Come alongside of Janice Bowman and her Sunday morning ministry to the homeless. Investigate partnering with other churches in the Baltimore area in ministry opportunites.
4. I think the prophetic voice of Trinity is trying to say to the community - "Let us be your hospital, come here to hear about Someone who can not only patch you up, but heal you totally, mind , body , and spirit. We exist (just look at our location on the Beltway) to be a lighthouse to Baltimore and the surrounding community. If we went away tomorow, I'm not sure if the surrounding community of unbelievers would even know we are gone. However, I feel it would be a huge void for local Christians and communities around the world we help by mission giving and going.
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