Today Christ Community Church is being recognized by the North Florida Presbytery as a member congregation. This means that we have elders and pastors installed to serve and lead. The presiding minister, Rev. Rod Whited, and others from the presbytery are here to enact this event. From this time on Christ Community Church has the authority to ordain our own officers.
Why are we governed and served by elders? We find in the Scriptures instruction on how Christ desires his Church to be led. This includes elders who have exhibited lives that are joyfully dependant upon Christ and living in the power of His grace. They have been tried and approved to have the character and wisdom to serve and lead the church family with humility, boldness, and love. The qualifications for elders are found in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3.
What difference will this make in the life of Christ Community Church? The changes should be subtle and strengthening. The core values and vision of Christ Community Church remain the same.
How should I be encouraged by God today? Primarily that Christ cares for His people. Are you a long-time member of Christ Community Church? Be encouraged that God has answered our prayers and used our meager efforts to establish something that He plans to use for years. Are you newer to Christ Community Church? This is an opportunity to rejoice that God has been at work to do us good a long time before we actually experience His grace and love. This is a pattern of our great God.
What’s up with all the vows? What you are participating in today is both witnessing and making vows. If you are a member of Christ Community Church you are entering into a relationship with elders through vows. Everyone is promising to look to Christ for strength to carry out their God-given roles. And God is delighted to resource His children!
I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in y o u will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
–The Apostle Paul, to the church at Philippi
The Church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation,
by water and the word:
from heaven he came
and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
--Samuel Stone, 1800’s
