Imagine the Potential

Part of the text from yesterday’s worship service was Ephesians 3:20-21:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV 2011)

I find these verses to be both inspiring and encouraging. They can also be challenging. I asked in the sermon yesterday: what can you imagine God doing through North Danvers Mennonite Church? I’d really like for us both to rest with that question and to wrestle with that question for a while. What can you imagine God doing through our faith community? What do you think God wants to do through this community?

I’m the kind of person who likes to imagine what could be. My first car was a 1968 Ford Mustang, and I have a special passion for those Mustangs from 1964½ through 1968. My wife has often called me crazy—well, for a number of reasons—but particularly because we’ll be driving out in the country somewhere, and I’ll see a Mustang from one of those years and says, “Oh, Josanne! Look how beautiful that is!” You could probably understand her perspective, because that Mustang might be up on blocks, be missing a front quarter panel, and be painted in two colors of primer and three colors of rust. You need to understand my perspective too, though, because what I’m seeing is the potential. I’m imagining what could be with the right vision and a lot of hard work.

I love the Church, too. Not only the idea of the Church, but the Church in all of her expressions in individual contexts—different congregations. Here’s the thing, I can see the potential in congregations as well. I’ve been a part of North Danvers Mennonite Church for a year now, and I love this church. Not just the idea of this congregation, but it’s reality as I see us all living out our faith in various ways. I also love the potential that I see here—what could be with the right vision and a lot of hard work. I really hope you’ll think about the question of what you can imagine taking place here. I also hope that God will give us an exciting adventure as we step into the future trusting in his power which is at work within us. “To him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus through all generations. Amen!”

Remember that NDMC is doing the ice cream social at the Danvers Band Concert next Sunday. Also remember that I want you to be finding people to invite to our kickoff Sunday on September 11th. That’s coming closer all the time.

I love you all. God bless,

Brian