Wednesdays with Grace

When Grace Church was first formed, we had a Constitution and Bylaws that were well-drafted but intended only to be placeholders until Grace Church established itself.  Since that time, the leadership team has been working to revise these documents to more accurately reflect Grace Church’s values, beliefs, and intended governance.  This work was paused as Grace awaited Bernard’s arrival and his input as to these important documents.  Since Bernard’s arrival, the leadership team has been meeting almost weekly to finalize these documents, and they will soon be ready to present to the Church next month.  With a Constitution, Bylaws, Convictions, and “standards” for membership, we will be able to formally accept members into Grace Church and establish church leadership modeled after the New Testament Church.  This is an exciting milestone for Grace Church!

In drafting these documents, several members of the leadership team spent many hours carefully drafting the precise language for these documents.  Those drafts were then subjected to careful and prayerful scrutiny and wordsmithing by the leadership team as a whole, which includes Bernard.  Often, certain words and their meaning were discussed and debated at length. Even commas and other punctuation marks were subject to intense discussion.  Through it all, the leadership team unanimously approved a final draft of these important documents.  There was much time, effort, prayer, and intention brought to drafting these documents because words matter.  Beliefs matter.   We are defined by our words and beliefs. 

Leading up to his crucifixion, the Sadducees and Pharisees were trying to turn the crowds against Jesus and provide an excuse to put him to death by asking Jesus a series of “trick” questions to trap him.  The final question came from a lawyer, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”   Jesus responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”  (Matt. 22:36-40)  

Words matter.  Beliefs matter.  We are defined by our words and beliefs.  But we also defined by our love of God and neighbor.  May we be known by our words and beliefs, but let’s also be known for our love of God and neighbor. 

Peace and Grace—

Carter