Inspire: Revisit AND Rethink: Vision, Mission, Values, Tradition

INSPIRE is an invitation to revisit the concept of identity as the way a congregation sees and projects itself to the local community and the world, and how they connect to the surrounding community.  The Book of Acts opens with the disciples of Jesus enjoying a very special time with him (40 days) following his resurrection.  The account records their conversations with Jesus concerning the coming Kingdom and their desire to see the restoration of the Davidic Kingdom to Israel, but this is not what Jesus is preparing them for.  Indeed, there is much to see and understand in this exciting first chapter of Acts, but one item that is key to understanding their identity is their obedience to follow Jesus’ instruction to return to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father (vss. 4-5).  The disciple’s obedience sets up the dramatic event seen in Acts 2, and becomes the doorway to discovering the unique identity of the Church and congregational life.