What it means to be a mature follower

You’ve probably noticed something different. We have adopted a new church logo and I wanted to give you some explanation and
information about it.

Verse of the Day -- “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” Hab. 2:2

The mission God has given the church is the same everywhere- to make Christ-like disciples. (Matt. 28:16-20). While that is what churches everywhere are trying to do, our new logo depicts specifically how we are going about that at Grace.  We believe that it all starts with God’s initiative (grace). While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (i.e. cross image).  The Christian life begins when we accept/receive God’s grace (favor, love, unearned blessing and invitation to life in Him). This isn’t a one-time thing but a daily reality of receiving grace from God. (That’s why
we have practices like reading the word, prayer, etc. It puts us in a position to receive grace from God. It’s also why we frequently celebrate
communion, a sacrament or means of grace.)  While the Christian life is intensely personal, it is anything but private. Being in right relationship with God instantly brings us into relationship with each other (the church, Christ’s body). In the NT disciples were chosen, taught, and matured not as individuals, but corporately. They chose to be involved in intentional, disciple-making relationships where they found accountability and support. A good example of how this worked is in Acts 2:42-47 where the believers got together (in addition to corporate worship) in houses where they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. At Grace we provide a place/process for intentional disciple-making relationships in our 2:42 groups where we do today, what 1st century Christian did in Acts. The image of a cup on our logo represents grace shared with each other. We do that when we come together at the Lord’s Table
(communion) in worship on Sunday, but we are connected with each other in grace-sharing relationships beyond that as well, as we strive to encourage, pray for, and keep each other accountable in our quest to live a holy life.  If receiving grace is about our relationship with God (vertical), sharing grace is about our relationships with each other (horizontal).  The life of following Jesus is a grace-full life. God’s grace is meant to  be received and shared, but it isn’t supposed to stop there, with Christians worshipping together and sharing grace with each other. God’s plan for the redemption of the world is for us (the church) to extend His grace to the world. In John 13 Jesus did something that shocked his followers. He served them by washing their feet. It was a powerful picture of humility and service. Jesus also said he “did not come to be served, but to serve.” A mature Christ-follower is one who is engaged in a lifestyle of serving -- at home, at church, and in the world. At Grace, we believe that this is what God calls all of us to, so that’s why we have a basin and towel in our logo.  It represents service. While we will often do large projects of service that involve the whole church, the basin/towel mentality goes far beyond a few projects a year. That’s why our 2:42 groups, women’s ministry, men’s ministry, youth group, etc. are always doing something that involves serving others outside the church. This is part of what it means to live a Christ-like life.  Our understanding of making Christlike disciples is that all of these are necessary, and need to be ongoing for the life of every believer. We receive God’s grace daily. We intentionally share grace with each other because disciples are made in the context of relationships. And until we are engaged in a lifestyle of extending grace to the world, we are falling short of what it means to be mature follower of Jesus who came to serve.  That’s what our logo represents -- Cross -- grace received    Cup -- grace shared    Basin -- grace extended

At Grace Nazarene, it’s all about grace!

Grace and peace to you,
Pastor Steve