Embrace a New Identity

Embracing a new identity as a follower of Jesus also gives one a new identity as a member of God’s people. God’s people is now a universal phenomenon.

The Apostle Peter calls God’s people a “holy nation” (I Peter 2:9-10). This is the macro-view of the body of Christ in Scripture. The micro-view that we experience is the body of Christ in a multitude of communities.

These communities are many times united in groupings called denominations. These denominations are the result of many historical, cultural and spiritual factors.

Our own community is part of a wider group of communities known as the Evangelical Covenant Church. I looked on line the other day and discovered that there are at least over 200 denominations in America!

I have served, spoken and attended many denominations over the past 53 years. Each one has their unique identity and expressions of worship and ministry. For me, the Evangelical Covenant Church is a good fit.

I have served in this denomination for the past 24 years. It is definitely not perfect, but I have experienced a group of people that love Jesus, seek spiritual and emotional health, and have structures that enhance the mission of the Gospel.

I like being connected to a larger group of churches. There is accountability for leaders and a sense of doing missional work that an independent church cannot do.

This month we will be having a conference representative coming to our church to share what God is doing and meeting many of our people. We are also having a representative from Covenant World Relief

coming to share what we are doing worldwide in aiding those in need. My hope is that it will give our church a wider look at the possibilities of doing missional work in our world.

We are a community of God’s people. We are also part of a larger missional community that seeks to fulfil the Great Commission.

  Pastor Fred