Dear Friends
Jesus invites us to go on a journey-we call it discipleship. It is a sojourn that is meant both to form us more into the image of Christ through the disciplines of study,
worship, prayer, service, and generosity; as well as to strengthen us in becoming powerful agents for the good that God is doing in our world. In each of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus ends the disciples on a mission-the intent of which is, through their actions, to reveal the Realm of God. We know that in these gospels, the disciples represent
each of us - the church. When Jesus speaks to them, he speaks to
us. As they were sent, so are we.
This mission is about extending the blessing of health and wholeness to all of creation, because we are certain that this is ultimately what God desires. The world is broken
and hurting and we are called to be a movement for wholeness among its many fractured pieces. The world is broken and hurting and we are called to proclaim that God is still speaking a healing word. We are agents of grace, on a journey that makes known the generosity of God through our own practice of the same.
Our faithful financial stewardship is one way we work against the powers that harm
and divide. Our generosity funds the mission and ministry that we are deploying as a sign that God's Realm is among us. On October 22, 2017 we began a
Journey to Generosity as a preparation for determining our investment in the ministry and
mission of The Beach Church. The first leg of the journey will conclude on Commitment Sunday as part of worship on
November 12, 2017 and I hope you will be intentional about being with us as we celebrate the revitalization of our mission of generosity.
God has done, and continues to do remarkable things through us and with us-things that matter in our community! Your prayers and your participation are keys to helping us advance further on the pathway of discipleship. We know that when the early church gathered, they did so with glad and generous hearts and that there was no
need among them (Acts 2). We desire such a spirit of true community to be among us.
I look forward to considering with you what it means for us to be on a "Journey of Generosity," as we seek to be faithful disciples in this place.
Thank you for walking alongside of me as a part of The Beach Church.
Blessings,
Jim
