Last night we went to the core.  We gathered around the couches and really did some soul searching.  We are in a culture that loves the flash and glimmer - and over the past decade or so, the church has been up to the challenge of competing with it all.  We have great facilities, great music, top notch multi-media productions - you get the point.  But what is behind all the glitter?  Of course, it’s a red hot passion to love and live for Jesus.  However, what if all you’ve ever known is a Jesus who is hidden within the “flash”?  Is there really anything at the core?  These are the questions we tackled head on last night at Higher Calling.

 

I was, as usual, quite impressed with our kids as they pondered and expressed their hearts on what is really necessary in their walk with Jesus.  I can sum up the multiple groups that discussed the issues in three categories.  

 

1.  They all agreed that worship of Jesus is essential.  However, the core of it is simply a sincere heart that wants to love Jesus.  Joining with other like-minded believers who will encourage us in our worship is also a critical element.  Instruments, sound systems, nice buildings are all fringe items that are helpful, but not essential.

 

2.  Relationships:  Another category recognized as essential was the need for relationships.  If we don’t have friends that will positively influence us and encourage us we will all drift not fulfill the life we are called to live.  

 

3.  Guidelines:  The Word of God is our rule and therefore we must know it.  That includes primarily reading it, but also includes learning it together and teaching each other what we have learned.

 

4.  Mission:  We must have a purpose outside of serving ourselves.  

 

As we go on this Core journey together, I believe that God has some very practical ways for us to learn and live these core issues.  I look forward to the weeks ahead as we walk this out together.  If you are a parent reading this, please be praying sincerely that Jesus would show up in the simplest and most profound way as possible.