There was sort of a mantra a while back that summed up the Christian experience as: “Belong, Believe and Behave”. The order of those statements caused some controversy (which I get, to some degree), but I really do think the phrase provided a quick take on the meaning of being a Christ follower. For me, while we must do all we can to be a welcoming and accepting community, I think the believe part would be better placed at the front-end of the statement. We believe that Jesus is God’s Messiah who fulfilled the promise made to Abraham that through his family, all the people of the world would be blessed, that is, be reconciled with Him.

The belonging is the result of that fulfilled promise. Now, all people from all places can be united as God’s covenant people. There are no limitations on ethnicity, culture or heritage – all the people of all the nations dwell equally under the covering of God’s grace. This experience of God’s loving grace lavished on us produces an altered behavior from its recipients. Instead of selfish pursuits, our actions are shaped by the values of faith, hope and love. Love and forgiveness become our identifying qualities.

This Sunday we’ll be celebrating our 4th Annual Great Big Post Thanksgiving Holiday Potluck Bonanza (or Post-Thanksgiving Potluck if your into the whole brevity thing) at 10 am. It’s really special this year because the Spanish-speaking church, Mar De Cristal Fellowship, who shares our facilities with us, will be sharing in this celebration as well! We’ll do a combined worship service, Pastor Christian will share a little about himself and his family, and we’ll observe communion together, and afterwards share a meal! It’s a wonderful demonstration of BELONGING.

Being a follower of Jesus isn’t just an intellectual assent to a set of propositions. It’s not a ritualistic practice of dogmas. Belonging is such a vital part of this experience – and it can’t happen in isolation or by simply watching a screen. It happens as we break bread and hear and see and accept one another in Christ. I really hope you can join us this Sunday as we revel in our belonging to God and to each other!