Introduction
As we enter into this new year, 2024, it’s a time of starting fresh and new beginnings. The start of a new year brings forth the opportunity for people to make new years resolutions, spend time with family, or to make new goals. One thing that I mentioned in my sermon on January 7th, 2024 I began this new year with a new sermon series on building community. This year is certainly a great year for us as a church to be present in the community as the light of Christ, but also to extend invitations to our neighbors to join our community, the body of Christ.
The Joy of New Beginnings
The beauty of a fresh snowfall, reminds me of my childhood. My sister and I, when we were growing up, we were blessed in the rare times when there was snow. We would bundle up and we would enjoy the snow when we could.
Being in such awe of the winters snow reminds me of how we are to have the mind of a child when it comes to knowing the Lord. There is this echo, this connection when it comes to coming to Christ. When we look out into the world, let us we see opportunities – not just to enjoy God’s creation but to share the love and hope that comes with our faith.
The Heart of the Message: Children in God’s Kingdom
Mark 10:13-16 teachs us two lessons: 1. The importance of having the mind of a child when it comes to knowing the Lord. 2. Children are not to be hindered and hold a special place in God’s Kingdom.
This passage urges us to embrace the qualities of children – humility, wonder, and trust (just to name a few) – in our relationship with God. Children are not just the future of the church; but we, as the church, need to focus on cultivating a culture where children can learn, have fun, but also, know the Lord.
Hospitality as a Reflection of Faith
Hebrews 13:2 calls us to show hospitality, reminding us of the Biblical example set by Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 18, who unknowingly entertained angels. I tend to believe that the hebrews passage directly referes to Abraham and Sarah. You really never know who you have hosted, entertained or lodged, specifically if it is a stranger.
Building Community: Little Hearts to Loving Hands
In the sermon on Sunday, I expandeded on the idea of “New Beginnings: Opening our Hearts and Doors.”
This involves a two parts: nurturing the little hearts – teaching our children, and extending loving hands – our hospitality to the community.
I introduced some initiatives like community classes for children and community projects, where we aim to bring families closer to God’s word and each other.
The Vision: Fostering a Christian Village
My wife, Amber, spoke on the concept of a village, a community that supports and nurtures its members, is at the heart of our vision. By creating opportunities for children to learn, grow, and experience God’s love, we are not just building a church; we are building a family of faith. Oh how it takes a village to raise a child. Certainly now, more than ever, do parents need support, and children need opportunity.
The Invitation: Fill the Empty Chair
I think it was Jeff Bezos who mentioned the idea of the empty chair to his company, Amazon. The idea of the empty chair, if I remember correctly, was presented as way for people to think of the question of “who is our customer?”
Even though it was years ago that I read the book or article on this original idea, the idea of the empty chair left a lasting impression on me. I used this empty chair as a framework that could be applied to ministry, or even any business for that matter.
The image of an empty chair serves as a powerful metaphor in our mission. It symbolizes the potential for growth, the opportunity to invite someone new into our community, and the responsibility we have to share the love of Christ with others.
Conclusion
As we embrace this new year, let us be guided by the new vision to build community. It is our commitment to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our city and to welcoming the little ones. We should be encouraged to open our doors wide to our neighbors and find ways to be present in the community. Let’s fill our hearts, our church, and those empty chairs with the love and light of Christ.