Hello –
I believe that rigorous churches will survive and thrive in our increasingly secular age. I also believe St. Paul’s is becoming a rigorous church.
For over a decade, we have been gradually devoting ourselves to the core Christian practices of prayer, worship, service, generosity, learning scripture, listening for call and Discipleship Groups. That’s the building we’ve been building together.
But underneath the building has been a foundation. I’ve been aware of the foundation all along, but I haven’t known how to speak about it- I couldn’t find my voice. This week, starting last Sunday, I began to speak with you, first at the Sunday Forum and then at the Tuesday and Wednesday Bible Studies.
I shared my belief that there are six necessary dimensions that a church must have if it is to be rigorous. It must have all six, we can’t pick and choose. All three times I’ve spoken, my sharing has led to deep and wonderful conversation as we’ve discovered together both our strengths and our growth areas as a community. An important conversation has begun.
There are two more of these conversations scheduled for the coming week. The first is this Sunday from 9:00 to 9:40 at the Spiritual Forum in Duncan Hall. The second is next Wednesday, the 27th, from 5:30 to 6:30 in the Upper Room.
Please come help me find my voice and let us begin exploring together the foundation of our shared faith and practice.
Blessings,
Christopher
p: (415) 456-4842
PS. There are four other things I would like you to know.
• I believe this Sunday’s sermon on Revelation 21 and the appearance of the New Jerusalem will be a particularly important one for us.
• Please pray for Ginny, Kay, Elesia and Libby as they attend the women’s short course in Christianity, Cursillo, this weekend.
• Check out the new display of 11 beautiful watercolors by parishioner Joseph Cook in Duncan Hall. 10 of them are for sale. The money will help him buy painting supplies and support his new grandson.
• Basic Discipleship starts in May and is likely to meet weekly on Sundays at 6pm, Thursdays at 12:30 and/or Saturdays at 8am. five people are already interested. Contact me if you’d like to learn to enter into a daily rhythm of prayer and find a way to tell your own spiritual story.