A Word from our Pastor...
I am confident of this, that God, who began a good work among you, will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
We are fully engaged in our message series: The year of following Jesus to Renewal. I hope you all have been keeping up with the progression which began with being Plugged In (John 15: 1-5). Any attempts at renewal are impossible unless we have a vital connection to the Vine. From there we examined the life of Paul and how he was Passionately Purposed to know Christ (Phil. 3:7-15). Being plugged into Jesus causes a desire within us to know him more deeply, a desire to nurture our relationship with him. That is often accomplished through Pursuing Discipleship (Mark 8:227-37). Having the will, the discipline, to study and emulate the life of Jesus in our daily lives becomes a priority for us.
Then, what is perfectly natural results…we are Propelled Outward (John 20:19-22). Our relationship with Christ is so vital and overflowing that we simply must share it with the world around us. We seek ways to love and minister to those around us, even as Jesus did. As a result of our being plugged in to the vine, the spirit begins to work in our lives Producing Fruit (Gal. 5:16-23). The qualities of Christ, a representative listing of which is found in Galatians, are evidenced in our lives.
Because of the fruit of Christ in our lives, we are able to more effectively Practice Community (Col. 3:12-14). Our community of faith is strengthened and rooted in genuine love and joy. We care deeply for one another and support one another in our lives and faith journeys. This practice of community is usually demonstrated through Practicing Radical Hospitality (Matt. 25:34-40). We see ourselves and other others through the eyes of God, with the love of God, and for the glory of God. Boundaries and stereotypes are set aside. The circle of our lives broadens.
When others see the way we practice community and practice radical hospitality, they are drawn in by our Christ-likeness. We can be busy Pulling Others In (John 4:1-42) because our walk matches our talk. We are authentic, genuine, and live the grace of God. Others want to know this Jesus that we follow, just as people wanted to follow Jesus and know Jesus when he walked upon the earth.
Finally, we maintain this natural progression of faith in following Jesus by continually Practicing Spirituality (Eph. 4:15-16). We are careful not to get things out of order…knowing that we must maintain our spirituality, stay plugged in and passionately purposed as we pursue discipleship and are propelled outward and so on… and thus our lives and our church are carrying out the call of Jesus and pleasing and glorifying God.
Come, follow Jesus with me,
Rev. Susan Lassalle
A Note From the Board…
Non-Judgmental
What does it mean to be non -judgmental? It means not to develop pre-conceived ideas or notions about anyone or anything. Especially on what our society deems as stereotypes. We have to be open minded and willing to accept people on a personal level. We must accept others worldview and understand that we may be wrong in our world view.
Sounds simple enough? As Christians we hold firm our belief in God. We demonstrate our belief in God through love and compassion for each other. Most are open about their faith and use their openness to welcome others with sincere greetings. To be loving and open is what defines the Christian faith; it is the very thing that Jesus preached. Christians today take stances on matters they believe. Matters that did not exist to Christians two thousand years ago. Because of that we as a whole have developed the image of Christianity as a “Judgmental Religion.” Maybe not you personally, but, in recent polls done by the Barna group, the one opinion that comes up the most when census peoples here the word Christianity in “Judgmental.”
Our small church in Slidell, LA can help change this negative connotation about Christianity. We are a non-judgmental church. We must lead the way for this generation and the next to come. Christianity needs to be redefined and trusted as a faith that does not hold any bias, which is honest, and open. This change has to start within each of us personally. With the New Year comes a new chance to spread God’s message in a new way. I ask each of our members to consider what you can do to promote our message.
Jamie Killian, Board Vice Chair
I am confident of this, that God, who began a good work among you, will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
We are fully engaged in our message series: The year of following Jesus to Renewal. I hope you all have been keeping up with the progression which began with being Plugged In (John 15: 1-5). Any attempts at renewal are impossible unless we have a vital connection to the Vine. From there we examined the life of Paul and how he was Passionately Purposed to know Christ (Phil. 3:7-15). Being plugged into Jesus causes a desire within us to know him more deeply, a desire to nurture our relationship with him. That is often accomplished through Pursuing Discipleship (Mark 8:227-37). Having the will, the discipline, to study and emulate the life of Jesus in our daily lives becomes a priority for us.
Then, what is perfectly natural results…we are Propelled Outward (John 20:19-22). Our relationship with Christ is so vital and overflowing that we simply must share it with the world around us. We seek ways to love and minister to those around us, even as Jesus did. As a result of our being plugged in to the vine, the spirit begins to work in our lives Producing Fruit (Gal. 5:16-23). The qualities of Christ, a representative listing of which is found in Galatians, are evidenced in our lives.
Because of the fruit of Christ in our lives, we are able to more effectively Practice Community (Col. 3:12-14). Our community of faith is strengthened and rooted in genuine love and joy. We care deeply for one another and support one another in our lives and faith journeys. This practice of community is usually demonstrated through Practicing Radical Hospitality (Matt. 25:34-40). We see ourselves and other others through the eyes of God, with the love of God, and for the glory of God. Boundaries and stereotypes are set aside. The circle of our lives broadens.
When others see the way we practice community and practice radical hospitality, they are drawn in by our Christ-likeness. We can be busy Pulling Others In (John 4:1-42) because our walk matches our talk. We are authentic, genuine, and live the grace of God. Others want to know this Jesus that we follow, just as people wanted to follow Jesus and know Jesus when he walked upon the earth.
Finally, we maintain this natural progression of faith in following Jesus by continually Practicing Spirituality (Eph. 4:15-16). We are careful not to get things out of order…knowing that we must maintain our spirituality, stay plugged in and passionately purposed as we pursue discipleship and are propelled outward and so on… and thus our lives and our church are carrying out the call of Jesus and pleasing and glorifying God.
Come, follow Jesus with me,
Rev. Susan Lassalle
A Note From the Board…
Non-Judgmental
What does it mean to be non -judgmental? It means not to develop pre-conceived ideas or notions about anyone or anything. Especially on what our society deems as stereotypes. We have to be open minded and willing to accept people on a personal level. We must accept others worldview and understand that we may be wrong in our world view.
Sounds simple enough? As Christians we hold firm our belief in God. We demonstrate our belief in God through love and compassion for each other. Most are open about their faith and use their openness to welcome others with sincere greetings. To be loving and open is what defines the Christian faith; it is the very thing that Jesus preached. Christians today take stances on matters they believe. Matters that did not exist to Christians two thousand years ago. Because of that we as a whole have developed the image of Christianity as a “Judgmental Religion.” Maybe not you personally, but, in recent polls done by the Barna group, the one opinion that comes up the most when census peoples here the word Christianity in “Judgmental.”
Our small church in Slidell, LA can help change this negative connotation about Christianity. We are a non-judgmental church. We must lead the way for this generation and the next to come. Christianity needs to be redefined and trusted as a faith that does not hold any bias, which is honest, and open. This change has to start within each of us personally. With the New Year comes a new chance to spread God’s message in a new way. I ask each of our members to consider what you can do to promote our message.
Jamie Killian, Board Vice Chair
