Ah, I am happily home, surrounded by mounds of laundry and readying myself for a two-basket trip to the grocery store, but before I go, I want to share the good news of fond memories of the gathering of the PCA this past week in Virginia Beach, Va.
- Real conversation about matters that matter. Beyond the politics and posturing that so often happens at such gatherings to true heart struggle of women and men laboring to bring hope to those desperately needing to hear that Jesus Christ saves from irreligion and religion.
- The call for unity: The pastor of an intentionally integrated church in Jackson, Mississippi talking about racial reconciliation happening in the deeply entrenched South: “We don’t wait for heaven for unity. It must be in some way visibly expressed now.” Luke 17:20-23
- The call to worship. A bold and humble pastor speaking about “oppression,” not in the context of other cultures but in the context of his home, and how his wife felt oppressed by – him. Confessing his idolatry and self-righteousness and pointing to the gospel as the healing force and community as the strengthening body. This is worship in spirit and truth. John 4.
- The call to mission. Luke 10: 1-42…We must be bold messengers, loving neighbors, and good listeners, coupling the ‘repulsive’ message of the gospel with the irresistible winsomeness of a life of faith, hope, and love.
- Real women wanting to share God’s story of grace with real women. Learning to look for what we have in common as women created in the image of God, struggling in our own sin nature — and to leverage the difference: our hope in Jesus Christ. (More on that with a summary of “A Woman’s Story” seminar coming next week.) Luke 7:36-50.
