“Our Life Together” - An Orientation to Our Church
A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Your Spiritual Journey
Something or (better yet) Someone has brought you to this point in your life when you are considering joining our congregation. Whatever the immediate reason, we believe that it is God who is prompting you to take the next step in your spiritual growth. This may be the first time you’ve ever faced such a decision, so it could be rather frightening. Or you may have been associated with many congregations in the past and wonder how this one will compare. Either way, it’s an important decision and commitment. And we want to be helpful to you as you make it.
Our Spiritual Journey
Each of us is embarked upon a path of discipleship in which we grow and develop as individual Christians. For most of us it began at our Baptism when God made promises over us and called us his own. Although our paths may have been different, they have converged here, in this location and at this congregation. Here we have found others who also want to grow in their faith and faithfulness.
Although our faith is always deeply personal, it is never private, because God draws us into fellowship with other Christians who are learning to live out their faith as well. Every congregation should be a supportive family of fellow believers with whom we worship, grow, and serve.
You will want to know as much as you can about this particular family called the Lutheran Church of the Galilean.
THE FAITH WE SHARE
Christ
Christ is the center of our lives. We know that he died to redeem us and rose from the grave to give us the gift of eternal life. He is the head of the Church. So even though we may occasionally speak about “our congregation,” it’s not. It is his. We are his people, called to live out the new life he has given us in faith and joy.
Scripture
Although none of us reads and studies the Bible as much as we should, it is the only source of the truth about God and our relationship to him. It is extremely important for all of us to know what God has revealed about himself and us in his written Word. So all of our preaching and teaching is firmly based on Scripture.
The Gospel
Of central importance in the Bible is the Gospel, the “good news” of what God himself has done for us in the sending of Jesus, his Son. In Jesus, God declares his gracious love for us and his forgiveness to all who believe that Jesus is our Savior. Christ is the very heart of Scripture. Through him we know how much God loves us.
Ecumenical Creeds
Members of our congregation, like all Lutherans and most of the Christians in the world, accept the three ancient Creeds of the Church (Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian) as true summaries of the Christian faith. (Copies are available)
Augsburg Confession
Although it’s certainly not on the same level as the Ecumenical Creeds, Lutherans have openly declared their understanding of Scripture in a 16th century document called the Augsburg Confession. Of particular significance is the way in which
this document highlights both the similarities and the differences between Lutherans and Roman Catholics. (Copies are available)
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
Called, Gathered, Equipped & Sent
This is the pattern of congregational life. We are called individually by God to himself and then into a community of other Christians with whom we regularly gather. In our congregational life we are equipped for the ministry which each of us performs in some unique way. And then we are sent out into the world as the Lord’s active disciples.
Word & Sacrament Worship
Worship is the center of our life together. Worship is “cross shaped,” that is, in the act of worship we are united vertically with God and horizontally with each other. Worship is also two-way action. We offer up our praise and thanksgiving to God, while he nourishes our faith through Word and Sacrament.
Growing in Christ
Nothing seems to come naturally to the believer. God is always re-training us and “conforming us to the image of his Son.” So we are constantly learning more about our Lord, ourselves, and our purpose in his scheme of things. Christian education is essential for our children, but is perhaps even more necessary for adults who have so much more doubt to overcome and guilt to be relieved.
Servanthood
Scripture says that the Holy Spirit has given various gifts to each of us for God’s use in and through the Church. Congregational life helps us to discover and use those gifts to the fullest. Our life together also gives us opportunities to meet needs in the world around us that we might otherwise ignore or not know what to do about as individuals. Working together we can make a big impact. Service also often moves us “out of our comfort zones” into dramatic displays of compassion we wouldn’t have attempted on our own, without the support of fellow Christians.
ENCOURAGING EACH OTHER
Visitor or Member?
The “advantage” of being a visitor is that one can be a “guest” at the church week after week, and free to participate in the life of the congregation only to the extent he or she chooses. What could be more care-free, especially in this era when folks are less willing to make commitments of any kind?
But our spiritual life is all about commitments: God’s commitment to us in Christ, our commitment to him, and our commitment to others both inside the Church and outside in the rest of the world Faith automatically involves us in numerous commitments we’ve never perhaps even considered before!
Church as the Body of Christ
That’s because the Church is the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12). It’s not a corporation or institution or even a voluntary association. It is the assembly of all
those whom the Holy Spirit calls to faith and discipleship.
Our Expectations
We don’t make any demands on each other. But our Lord certainly does! “Continue in my word,” “feed the hungry,” “teach all nations,” “abide in me,” “love your neighbor as yourself,” “forgive from your heart,” “pray for your enemies,” etc.
We need each other’s continual encouragement to live out our calling as part of the mission of Christ.
When new members are received into the congregation, this is the promise they are asked to publicly make:
“Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism: to live among God’s faithful people, to hear his Word and share in his supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,to serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?”
That’s a mighty big promise and commitment! And we need all the help we can get (both from God and each other) to fulfill it.
Here are some of the ways in which we as a church try to fulfill that promise as a community of committed Christians:
REGULAR WORSHIP - We expect to see each other in worship every week. Of course people leave town or get sick or sometimes have other
legitimate reasons for missing. But not for very long.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - We expect everybody to be growing in the faith through Bible study and other opportunities for Christian education. Our children will be in Sunday School or other educational programs. Our adults will be reading the Bible on their own, and also joining others in forums for spiritual growth.
FELLOWSHIP - We expect to get to know one another as fellow members of this particular Christian family. That means setting aside time to join in congregational activities which foster stronger personal relationships among the members. A strong sense of community is important to us.
SERVICE - We expect to work side-by-side in charitable causes and that all members will use their God-given talents and gifts in service.
EVANGELISM - We expect everyone to be welcoming and inviting to others looking for Christian community.
CHARITABLE COMMUNICATION - We expect members to be open and honest in their conversation, but to be charitable as well, “speaking the truth in love.” As the church we are also called upon by our Lord to be compassionate and forgiving.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT - Although we don’t say it very often (or too loudly) we expect members to support the work of the congregation and the mission of the Church at large according to their ability. We at Galilean emphasize “proportionate giving,” that is, offering a percentage of our household income.
In the section which follows, we’ll spell out some of the ways we live out our commitments to one another.
COMMITMENTS TO ONE ANOTHER
Love & Unconditional Acceptance
Jesus says, “A new command I give you, that you love one another.” We have no choice, as a Christian community, but to love and accept you! And, may we be so bold as to ask the same from you?
Prayer
We are also committed to praying for you and joining you in prayers for all your loved ones and hope that you will pray for us.
Encouragement
We all want the encouragement of others. But it’s especially helpful from our spiritual brothers and sisters. We’re all here to listen and to assist. (Sometimes the encouragement, however, will echo that of our Lord’s to “repent,” that is, to turn around from the path we were following. Our commitment isn’t to interfere in each others’ lives or try to direct them, but occasionally, when necessary, to intervene with care and compassion.)
Provide for One Another’s Needs
We are sensitive to each others’ spiritual needs. So we provide for worship, education, fellowship and service. You will be asked to join in helping make all of that happen.
In times of illness, hospitalization, recovery, grief, etc., pastoral care is provided. Please let us know when you are in need.
In times of difficulty of any sort, free and confidential pastoral counseling is available.
The church also wants to be responsive to any pressing physical or financial needs of its members and is ready to assist to the best of its ability. We help each other.
CONCLUSION
Do we succeed in meeting all our expectations or our commitments to God and one another? Of course not. But in the style of Christ we treat each other evangelically, that is, with love and forgiveness.
Being the Church in this place and with these people teaches us how to love and forgive.
Life together is an adventure. We never know just where God is taking us. We rely upon his guidance and are always open to his surprises.
Life together in the fellowship of the Church may not be what we would necessarily choose for ourselves, but it’s the way God still makes himself “incarnate” in our world, through flesh and blood people like ourselves, struggling to know and do his will.
We welcome you in the name of the Lord who has died and risen for each of us, and has brought us into communion with each other.
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