Theme: Our Church
As we read the New Testament, we
see marvelous portraits of the church. The body of Christ,
bought with His own blood. The spiritual temple. The assembly of the elect. The
fullness of Him who fills all in all. Christ’s beautiful bride.
From the historical narratives to
the apocalyptic visions; from the doctrines of salvation to the pastoral
directives, the church takes center stage in the divine plan of redemption.
Christ’s church is also our
church. We who have been redeemed by Christ are each a member of this living
body. We all have a share in the glory that God has in store for her, and we
have all been given a role to serve. Together, we take part in the Lord’s great
commission and in God’s grand scheme for His creation.
The theme articles in this issue
invite us to look once again at our church, both from a practical standpoint on
the dynamics of church growth and from a spiritual vista on the true church’s
incomparable splendor. May these articles be a reminder of the immeasurable riches
we have in Christ as well as a call to renew our commitment to our church.
|