Greetings,

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
 - John 1:12-13
 

When I was a young child, my grandmother took on the responsibility of taking my sister and me to church. She would drive seven miles out of her way every Sunday morning for a long time to transport us from a dysfunctional home life to a place where the people were acting like a joyful family. The church we attended had a vibrant life and a feel about it that made me curious. Every Sunday before the sermon and to conclude the worship set, we would all sing one last song together. Every week, for years, I can remember singing “I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God--I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, for I'm part of the family, the family of God.”

While writing the lyrics out, I realized that I never really knew a few of the words--I would just mumble them. I also didn’t know there were more verses or that it was written by the Gaithers (a famous Christian music group). I can tell you this, the faithfulness in singing those words, week in and week out, led me to truly believe that I was a part of this family of God. More than simply singing those words, the people of that church practiced it. To this day when I communicate with someone that influenced me from those days at that fellowship, I feel a familiarity like I am home.

God used that church family to shape who I am today. Much of what I learned about being a man of faith came from watching the men in that church. It was there, among that family of God, that God clearly called me into the work of His ministry. I have spent my life in ministry trying encourage, equip and bring people into the loving family of God.

All along this journey, I have made too many mistakes to count as a man of God and a pastor. Fortunate for all of us, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, and it is on Him that we rely. There is no such thing as a perfect family, and that includes the family of God. In every situation and through every change in the world, we remain the family of God.

Our desire at Way of Life is to be a joyful family that worships God together in Spirit and truth and in unity and love. We want to love people into the family of God and equip them to become mature disciples of Jesus that love more people into the family of God.

Usually, my church family letters are “stand alone” notes about a topic. If you have been reading them for a while, you know that they are usually a short note, meant to encourage us with scripture and to challenge us live out what we believe.

This letter is a little different in that it is the introduction to a longer discussion on the “Family of God.” Since there is a lot to unpack, I will break it up to keep it short. Each week, I will address a different component of being a part of this unique and amazing spiritual family. I will be approaching the concepts from a biblical perspective and hopefully, these notes will provide each of us with a clearer picture of what I believe each of us longs for in community and true fellowship.

Love ya,
Chris