Hello Church,

I am reminded that when Jesus walked this earth and pursued life-on-life discipleship with others, it was not always straightforward. Among those around him, there was confusion, wrong steps, misunderstandings, and well-intentioned, but messy steps of faith. Jesus is no stranger to the messiness of relationships.

If you are someone who enjoys the early stages of relationships and certain relationships are starting to get deeper, you may find yourself unsure of how much you want to invest. If you enjoy delving into the depths of discipleship, but some around you are not yet ready, you may find yourself struggling to be patient.

I want to embrace the mess with you! It is a part of being human and following Christ. We accept that reality and choose still to invest and commit to the life and rhythms of the local church. Even when it doesn't feel worth it, He is worthy of our investment. I like to think of God's Church as misfits who fit together. In the context of spiritual gifts, Paul tells the church in Corinth, "But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be" (1 Corinthians 12:18 NIV).

If you are part of this local church, God brought us together, just as He saw fit. He is working out His purposes amidst inconveniences, inefficiency, and the general messiness of following Jesus together.

With you,

Gaia Stanley, on Behalf of the Elder and Minister Team