Dearly Beloved,
As we embark on the journey of becoming a Beloved Community, we’ve spent a lot of time working on the mission, vision, structure, and institutional elements of this new chapter. For almost a year, I’ve collaborated with an incredible group to craft our foundational documents.
While these documents are important and helpful, at the end of the day, they are just words on paper.
A mission statement can inspire us—but it becomes real and powerful only when it’s brought to life through the actions of our community. The church is more than just words or ideas. We are a living, breathing expression of the values and vision we hold dear.
When we say we are called to love our neighbors, serve the poor, and live in unity, those aren’t just ideals—they are the blueprint for how we live each day. Our mission is not confined to church buildings or official documents. It must show up in our everyday lives—in the way we care for one another, reach out to those in need, and reflect Christ in our communities.
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We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, living examples of His love, compassion, and justice. So, here’s my pastoral and prophetic call to us:
- Love Beyond Comfort: Our love must reach beyond the familiar and the comfortable. It has to extend into under-resourced communities, to the marginalized, and to those who feel forgotten. Love isn’t just a belief; it’s action.
- Serve with Humility: Just as Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, we are called to serve others with humility and grace, putting their needs above our own. This only works when we let go of pride and embrace true humility.
- Connect Intentionally: We are not just called to be a family in word, but in action. This means intentionally reaching out to other churches and initiatives to understand their hearts and visions. We want to live as a true family—deeply connected, committed, and united.
As we walk this journey, let’s move from mission statements to missional living. Let’s be a community that doesn’t just talk about our faith but actively demonstrates it in every interaction, every act of service, and every relationship we build.
Together, we can become a community that truly reflects the heart of Christ—one that not only speaks the message we proclaim but lives it out for the world to see.