Monday, August 13, 2012

Anniversary Gift

 This past Thursday my husband and I reached our 9th wedding anniversary and we celebrated the day at the Global Leadership Summit. My husband said it was the best gift we could have given each other and I agree wholeheartedly.    
When we began attending this church in early 2007, I would have never guessed where we would find ourselves 5 years later. God has done a work in our lives and transformed our marriage and the blessings we have seen in our family are just astounding.  So when our pastor told us about this coming Summit and his desire for all the leaders within GLCC to attend we knew we were going. Pastor Bob gave us the dates of the summit which coincided with our anniversary, Richard and I looked at each other and had no doubt that we were meant to be there and we both wanted to be there. We have so much to be thankful for and the Lord deserves our participation in response to our transformation.
There was so much valuable information from all the speakers. As I ponder the Summit today, what comes to mind in regards to GLCC is a quote from Jim Collins “productive paranoia compels us to be ready today for tomorrow.”  It is important in order to avoid becoming a complacent church we get clarity and direction today. A complacent church has a relatively satisfied congregation, but has the lowest faith in action and personal spiritual practices. This is not where we want to go.  In order for us to avoid that pitfall the congregation must have a higher level of ownership.  We must all have the mentality that we don’t go to church, WE ARE the church. We are the body of Christ!  
I agree with Bill Hybels when he says “The local church is the hope of the world.”  That’s how I came to Christ, visiting the new church built near my home.   I knew I was missing something in my life and this church was fundamental to my walk with Jesus. Everyone’s life would be better if God was at the center of it; our family is proof of that.  It is my heart’s desire that every member in our congregation prays for clarity in their individual roles so that we can all become a body of believers in action.  Please read the Morning Prayer from the conference below. Join me in this prayer?

 



Matthew 28:19  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.


2 comments:

  1. Great post, Yanni. So glad you included the prayer card. I don't usually jump on the everybody-ought-to-do-this band wagon, but I've been saying that prayer every morning since the conference. This isn't just for people with an official title or leadership role at church. Everyone leads someone.

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  2. Thanks Susan. The conference was such a blessing :)

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