A Note from Chris - October 14, 2021

One of the realities of truly leaning in and doing life with other people is this: it’s messy.

Life has never been more complicated, and in many cases more layered than it is these days. Just trying to do life day to day can be pretty messy. When we invite others into the mess, or when we are lovingly walking through life with others and their mess, it’s not always easy to know what we are supposed to do.

One of the things I love about our church is that we are not plastic, pretending that everything is totally fine in our lives when in fact it is not. We do not celebrate our sin or weaknesses, but we know that we are part of a spiritual family that loves each other just the way we are while lovingly nudging us forward toward Christ.

This weekend, we start a new series called, “Messy Church.” It’s based on one of our church values, “Get Messy.” One phrase we use with that mantra is this: “We courageously meet people where they are, walking in grace and truth.” I love that. And yet, I recognize that it is difficult and challenging to do. To love each other enough to really lean into each other’s mess and walk together through it does not have a perfect formula. But I sure am glad to be part of a church willing to do that with one another.

In 1 and 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes letters to a young church in Corinth that was.messy. They did some things really well and made an impact in their community. Other times, they fell short. Still other times, it was abysmal. These two books give me hope that despite our personal failures, together we can build a church that is increasingly for Jesus and like Jesus.

Each week through this 7 week series, we will look at passages in 1 Corinthians and how Paul instructs the church to get messy together to become more like Christ to one another.

As we approach 2022 (that looks weird even writing it!), we don’t want to be a good church; we want to be a holy church! We want to be a church that is really carrying each other and challenging each other and showing patience with one another and calling out each other in love and worshiping with one another toward greater faithfulness to Christ every day.

So, would you please do two things?

1) Prepare for this series by reading 1 Corinthians. Make notes of the things that stick out to you, confuse you, convict you, or challenge you.

2) Prepare for the series by praying for our church to be willing to get even messier as we work through the mess. Maybe set a reminder on your phone for each day to say a quick prayer for our church.

Messy isn’t a destination, but it is a required stop on the path to leading each other to transformation in Christ. I look forward to the journey with you!


Yours & His,
Chris VandeLinde