No church is perfect. There is no perfect size, no perfect pastor, and no perfect program. If we are looking for perfection as our model, we will be consistently disappointed. What should be our standard, then? One pastor's office sign reads, "Faithfulness is Success." Faithfulness is also inspiring. Seeing someone hold fast to their dream, remain stable in spite of struggles and end with integrity gives us hope that we can aspire to be as faithful.
No church is perfectly missional. But we do, on occasion, catch Glimpses of Missional Faithfulness, which is the title of a new resource produced by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. According to the 72-page booklet, "The missional church movement asks, ‘What is God wanting us to be, become and do so that we can be the presence of Christ within our community and in the world?' As churches consider this question, they are being energized with renewed vision and mission."
Twelve CBF-church profiles are given that illustrate how Christ's presence can be demonstrated in a wide variety of ways. These stories are followed by reflection questions and space for writing reflections. The booklet has a three-page "Introduction to the Missional Church" as well as a dozen pages listing additional resources.
The stories in this book are not programs to be duplicated. They are prompts. They urge an openness to God's dream for our community and a dependence on the Spirit's creativity and energy as we join that dream. Order this booklet for $6.95 from CBF by calling 1-888-801-4223 or on the CBF Store website.
A new, regular column titled "Glimpses of Missional Faithfulness" begins in issues of The Gathering. These stories of CBF churches in North Carolina will inspire us to open our eyes to the assets and needs in our communities and to join God in the work already in progress. View them below.
Erasing Barriers Monday Thru Friday
by Kathy Naish, Pastor of Spiritual Formation, Viewmont BC, Hickory
as printed in the July/August 09 newsletter
Churches Minister in an Economic Downturn
by Rick Jordan (July/August 2009 edition)
What's Expected?
Glimpsing Missional Faithfulness at Immanuel Baptist Church, Greenville
by Rick Jordan (May/June 2009 edition)
Yates Baptist Church Connects to Their Community Through the Sonshine Class
by Jon Slaton, member, Yates Baptist Church
as printed in the January/February 08 newsletter
View more photos of the Sunshine Class at http://jonogram.com/sonshine/sonshinePicsVBS2007June.html.