Thank You
To those of you who attended BC24, to those of you who sent and supported this gathering, to all of the CLB—I greet you as partners in mission! Indeed, I am so very grateful that we are “in this together”—this faith, this Body, this calling of life and disciple-making mission together in Christ.
From my own observation and the feedback from many participants, I believe we were much blessed, strengthened, and resourced by our recent “Partner in Mission” CLB Biennial Convention, held June 8-11th in Fergus Falls, MN. Our vision to be renewed as a disciple-making church is lived out in four senior objectives: Call to Follow, Partner in Mission, Unleash New Leaders, and Multiply New Disciples. Our focus at BC24 was the second of these objectives.
The Apostle Paul gave focus to his friends in the Corinthian church, reminding them that together that they share a solitary gospel work and purpose with God: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow... The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose” (1 Corinthians 3:6,8).
So too, we together—our many congregations, pastors, elders, leaders, members, parishioners; our North American church planters, our International missionary church planters, our seminary leaders, our CLB departments; affiliate ministries like the Women’s Ministries of the CLB and Hillcrest, the just past Elevate youth convention, our camps going on this summer at Tuscarora and Inspiration Point and Warm Beach and in Canada; AND the convening of mission partners at BC24 decidedly hold and are bonded together in this one purpose and solitary calling: to be and make Jesus’ disciples.
We need each other—and likely more now than in times before. We are better together; the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
People wonder—we may wonder— “How’s the church doing?” And, quite likely the greater part of our thought immediately considers the church right around us, our local congregation. Our perception, identity and confidence is understandably caught up and entwined so significantly in our local setting. But may I urge us to also let our identity and answer rest also in the greater circle, in greater league and partnership with other leaders and pastors and congregations, and the Body of Christ in all its forms around the world? And overall, while in no way denying the real and hard challenges we face locally and personally, let your mind and heart also go here in answer to that question: You know, my Church, the Body of Christ…is as well and good and sure… as “he who is its head” (Eph. 4:15).
These are challenging times, true. But, the Church and her Savior have been here before. The Bride of Christ—you cannot kill her. She is as well and strong and good; as indestructible and advancing as the Groom who escorts, empowers, sustains, and loves her. All that is his is hers and ours together as partners in mission.
Rev. Paul Larson is the President of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren.
From my own observation and the feedback from many participants, I believe we were much blessed, strengthened, and resourced by our recent “Partner in Mission” CLB Biennial Convention, held June 8-11th in Fergus Falls, MN. Our vision to be renewed as a disciple-making church is lived out in four senior objectives: Call to Follow, Partner in Mission, Unleash New Leaders, and Multiply New Disciples. Our focus at BC24 was the second of these objectives.
The Apostle Paul gave focus to his friends in the Corinthian church, reminding them that together that they share a solitary gospel work and purpose with God: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow... The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose” (1 Corinthians 3:6,8).
So too, we together—our many congregations, pastors, elders, leaders, members, parishioners; our North American church planters, our International missionary church planters, our seminary leaders, our CLB departments; affiliate ministries like the Women’s Ministries of the CLB and Hillcrest, the just past Elevate youth convention, our camps going on this summer at Tuscarora and Inspiration Point and Warm Beach and in Canada; AND the convening of mission partners at BC24 decidedly hold and are bonded together in this one purpose and solitary calling: to be and make Jesus’ disciples.
We need each other—and likely more now than in times before. We are better together; the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
People wonder—we may wonder— “How’s the church doing?” And, quite likely the greater part of our thought immediately considers the church right around us, our local congregation. Our perception, identity and confidence is understandably caught up and entwined so significantly in our local setting. But may I urge us to also let our identity and answer rest also in the greater circle, in greater league and partnership with other leaders and pastors and congregations, and the Body of Christ in all its forms around the world? And overall, while in no way denying the real and hard challenges we face locally and personally, let your mind and heart also go here in answer to that question: You know, my Church, the Body of Christ…is as well and good and sure… as “he who is its head” (Eph. 4:15).
These are challenging times, true. But, the Church and her Savior have been here before. The Bride of Christ—you cannot kill her. She is as well and strong and good; as indestructible and advancing as the Groom who escorts, empowers, sustains, and loves her. All that is his is hers and ours together as partners in mission.
Rev. Paul Larson is the President of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren.
Posted in Biennial Convention, Faith and Fellowship Magazine
Posted in 2024-04, Biennial Convention 2024
Posted in 2024-04, Biennial Convention 2024
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