South-Broadland (the PC(USA) church I serve) has been reading through the Bible together in small covenant groups since last October. There are 9 diverse groups, with a total of 88 participants (almost half the members on the books), men and women, teens to senior adults, black and white, who made a covenant to read the Bible every day and complete the reading in one year. I preach each week on a text in the readings. The groups then meet weekly to discuss and pray and discern what God is telling them in community. All but 1 elder is in a group (schedule difficulties); all the active deacons participate in a group. We are currently marching through II Chronicles.
It's amazing how God has been speaking to us through the Holy Spirit's as we are faithful to the discipline of reading God's word. Without reading and entering deep into God's story for and with God's people, we would be stuck with just our own limited, flawed perspective on God's love, God's purposes and God's people. The Bible would remain a "Sunday only" tool for faith and life, where now it is truly "a living word" for us. The challenges we have faced this past year as a church have been difficult, but discernment has been more complete because we are reading the word together and applying God's principles to matters of stewardship, discipline, nominating, discipleship, mission, and so on. Often in session meetings or conversations, one can hear a scripture quoted that was read that week. And it's not just by the minister!
I wish all Christians, especially those who lead and guide us, would covenant to do the same when they agree to serve. All committees, task forces, commissions, staff, at all levels of leadership would devote most of their time to reading the word together. This is exactly what our denomination has recommended in the PUP report that came out in 2006: to search the word of God together, in prayer and openness, and listen to where God is leading.
This is how South-Broadland chose to grow deeper in faith, unity, purity, peace and mission, as we seek our future and discern our core values and essentials for our life together, under Christ. We are learning to see each other as God sees us. We are beginning to shift our vision for the church outward. Our children are seeing us with the word of God in our hands at home. We have become kinder, bolder, and yet more restless to be more than an institution. We are asking more questions about God's purpose for us. We are exercising grace and forgiveness in ways we never have before. And we are growing in wisdom, not just knowledge. It is a beautiful thing to be in the midst of this movement of the Holy Spirit.
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I look forward to meeting with my covenant group each week. There is a bonding process that occurs when believers come together to study God's word. I am convinced that the Holy Spirit rushes in to touch us every time we open a bible. God so wants us to explore our faith both alone and in community with other believers, such as the covenant groups.
I am grateful that the leadership of the church embraced this and encouraged us to begin a faith walk together at South-Broadland.
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