By Steve

When I choose to write publicly, I realize that each word might be carefully measured, critiqued and judged. While some might find the words to be offensive, or wrong, or misleading, others find them to be encouraging, hopeful and true. It is with considerable hope for the latter and some concern for the former that I write on.

For the past few weeks I have been trying to articulate the 5 core values of Citywalk Church through our newsletter, The Loop. To this point I have briefly discussed:
Generosity in all things
Everyday Sacredness
Traveling Together
You can find these at www.citywalkchurch.org (click “the walk”)
These are not just things that we do but describe who we are becoming; people living as God originally intended. I believe as people of faith, people who profess belief in God, people who have answered the call to follow the Way of Christ…Christians…our lives should be increasingly analogous to these values (of course feel free to disagree). While I have worked hard, thought long and prayed often over the values of the church, these first 3 are not really revolutionary concepts (yet they may help to initiate a revolution if the millions of people who claim Christianity as their faith truly began living them). Nor are these ideas controversial. I could easily attach biblical references to each of these, “it is better to give than to receive,” “do all to the glory of God,” “…one another,” to give them credibility and gain support from bible readers. For better or worse I am not looking to start controversy or gain support, but I fear that the next two values I will explore may be met with resistance. Who knows, maybe from within controversy and resistance, we the church (the body of Christ) will pick up where Jesus left off (precisely what he commissioned us to do) and the revolution (one similar to that which Jesus instigated) will continue.

To read more about #4:
Pursuing truth while embracing mystery
Sign up for “The Loop” or click on “The Walk” both at www.citywalkchurch.org

I hope Citywalk is a church that teaches truth, but allows for the messy process of people pursuing it. I want to present truth in inspiring ways leaving people hungry for more. I want to be patient with others as they process truth and the implications of it on their lives. I want to celebrate when people begin to wrap their lives around the way of Jesus, the Truth. I want to hold firm to the truth found in scripture and be open (although cautious) to discover truth outside of scripture. Where such truth is found, I want to claim it as God’s truth. This is the kind of church I hope we are. One willing to pursue and inspire others to pursue truth with passion. A church bold enough to affirm the truths that describe a follower of Jesus, patient enough to allow others to walk with us and in awe of the mysteries of our great God. May you find these words encouraging, hopeful and true!