Dear First Pres,

     I hope, by now, you can string at least part of our church’s purpose statement together.  Let’s take a mental quiz right now.  Our purpose is to __?

     Did you get it? This Sunday is the last installment of the Being Church on Purpose sermon series. I know that four of my sermons won’t change the world, but I do hope that they will help us live into this God-given purpose statement. It’ll never be more than words on the website if we don’t take it to heart individually and corporately.  So, I invite you to take some time this week to write the purpose statement on a piece of paper, or a computer, or a white board, and consider what it means for you and for us.  What are the implications of these words? How does it look to live that out individually and corporately? I believe that kind of investment in this statement by each one in our church would make a world of difference.

     Of course, living out our purpose needs to be undergirded in prayer. That’s why we’re hosting a worship and prayer night tomorrow. I invite you to join me, and other church leaders, Friday night at 7 p.m. for a time to lift our hearts to the Lord in song and prayer.  There are so many things to be praying for these days: our youth, our world, our city, Community Groups, a new Children’s Ministry Director, our finances, our missionaries, and living into our new purpose statement (just to name some). Please come; draw near to our Lord with your church family, and lift up your heart to God in worship and prayer.  I believe the Lord is going to work in powerful ways among us.

Blessings,

 

P.S. By the way, our purpose is to engage together in Christ’s work of making disciples for the redeeming transformation of our city and world.