Pastor’s Corner July 2010

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

While Pastor Tony is on sabbatical, I have had the opportunity to do a number of things that I don’t regularly get to do. In the process, I am gaining an even greater appreciation of the necessity of being focused and purposeful in the midst of so much going on. The Mission and Vision of Redeemer has become a real touch point for me in the many decisions that affect the direction of the church. I have just taught through Redeemer’s Mission and Vision while leading the Meet the Pastor Class this Sunday School quarter. Let me remind you what we are all about as under-shepherds of the One Great Shepherd.

The Mission of Redeemer is to mature as a community of Christians who love to worship their God, study His Word, and proclaim His gospel to the World.

We base this on the Great Commission given by Christ to his disciples:
Matthew 28:17-20 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Maturity, not numbers is the real goal. This is reflected in our vision for what we as Redeemer Presbyterian church will look like by God’s grace.
Our Vision is three-fold:
First, to be a center for the worship of God in our community.
Second, to be a training ground for disciples of Jesus Christ.
Third, to be a catalyst for the transformation of culture for Christ

Paul’s words to the Colossians are the foundation for this calling we aspire to:
Colossians 1:28-29 Him (Christ) we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Will you join me in re-affirming our commitment to this mission and vision that we believe is thoroughly grounded in God’s Word? Will you toil and struggle with all of God’s energy that so powerfully works in us? As we do, the Lord is glorified in our weakness.

2 Corinthians 4:5-7 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

In the Lamb,
Pastor Nathan