Building Community…
Shalom
The word “Shalom” is used often throughout the Old Testament. Shalom is most often translated into English as “peace”. The problem is that peace simply means there is no hostility occurring right now—No one is fighting and there is no conflict taking place.
Shalom is meant to have a much more dramatic effect on community than just being at peace with one another. The full meaning of this word should impact all our relationships of daily life. People living in shalom are people wishing for full and complete lives for every individual and for the entire community that surrounds them. Shalom is God’s gift to us that cannot be earned. It is the result of God’s grace.
Changing a City…
Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis in the Biblical sense takes on two meanings: 1) to change in a manner visible to others 2) to change inwardly in fundamental character or condition. Thus, change should take place both inwardly and outwardly. A healthy Biblical community that has experienced the inner changes by God’s presence has the responsibility to make visible changes in the community at large.
The direct result of shalom taking place in the context of the church is that change will naturally take place in the lives touched by that community.
Reaching a World…
Go
Release. Proceed. Travel. Depart. Journey. The life altering effects of shalom and metamorphosis lead people to move outside of the known and into a world that desperately needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only are we commissioned by God to go and reach the world, but the Holy Spirit has empowered us to be God’s incarnate witness to every country and tribe across His creation (Acts 1:8).
We humbly and gratefully join Jesus in His mission "...to seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10).