As Christians, we are marked. We should insist on the marks of the Church to characterize our life as a church at Grace.
- To preach the gospel marks us.
- To properly administer the sacraments marks us.
- To rightly exercise church discipline marks us.
If these are the marks that the Bible defines as essential, then we should be able to identify their opposites: a false gospel, corruption of the sacraments and worship, and abuse or neglect of church discipline.
If a church is marked by the preaching of the gospel, the proper administration of the sacraments, and the right exercise of church discipline, then it will produce disciples who are revealing, resolute, ready, responsive, resilient, reframed, repentant, receptive, and reverent.
Followers of Jesus Christ are to be leaven as well as salt and light for individual and social change. At one time, the Church held a privileged place in culture. That is no longer the case. A shift from modern to postmodern philosophical assumptions began in the early seventies. The message of the Church was no longer readily accepted. Culture’s response was apathetic if not outright hostile. Today’s culture is postmodern and pluralistic. The church seems to accept that it is marginalized in culture
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One. Jesus Christ suffered for you and me. Jesus Christ stayed focused on the will of his Father, so that he could work out our salvation. He died for our sins. Jesus Christ rose from the dead so that we could experience forgiveness for those sins and live a new life, now and eternally.
Do you believe that Jesus Christ has died for your sins? Do you believe that by placing your faith in him, you are forgiven and will live a new life and have eternal life? Do you believe that you are marked by Jesus Christ to be a change agent in society and culture? If so, you exist in order for others to find their bearings and begin to walk in a new direction. That new direction will truly give seekers the life they have so precariously been seeking.
On our Interim Pastor journey with you, I remain faithfully yours,
Steve
The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh
Interim Pastor
ShareAPR