Last year, we started something called Summer Nights at Grace. The goal was to create informal spaces for our church to connect outside of our Sunday gatherings. This past Sunday’s kickoff at the Davidson’s reminded me why we started them in the first place. It was amazing to see our kids running around and playing, while adults shared conversations and meaningful connection. That’s how it should be! Individual families folding into the family of God, sharing life with Jesus as our common thread.

If you missed out on this one, don’t miss the next (August 24). It’s easy to let our schedules crowd out connection, but one of the best spiritual investments we can make is showing up for others in our church and for our own souls. As I shared in our Freed From: Isolation message a few weeks ago, we all need to gather in community where we are known and where we truly know others.

But as we grow, shift, and adjust as a church, we also face pressure. With growth comes change, and with change comes the subtle temptation toward discontentment. In moments of transition, Satan often whispers lies like: “It’s just not the same,” or “This isn’t how we used to do it.” And our hearts that are so prone to familiarity, can easily drift from gratitude to grumbling. These are the moments that unity is at stake!

Church, let’s remember, our unity is not built on preference or nostalgia. It's built on Christ. We don’t gather because the setting is perfect or the systems are smooth. We gather because Jesus is worthy (Rev. 5:12). He is worth praising, celebrating, and centering our lives around even when things feel different or unfamiliar.

When we covenanted together as a church, we made these commitments to one another:

That we will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully warn, rebuke, and admonish one another as the case shall require.
(2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1–2; Hebrews 3:12–14)

That we will extend to each other the grace shown to us in Christ Jesus, remaining slow to take offense and quick to seek reconciliation.
(Philippians 2:3–11)

That we will faithfully attend the meetings of the church and work together to sustain its worship, discipline, and doctrines.
(Hebrews 10:24–25; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; James 5:16)

These aren’t just nice sounding words. They’re covenant promises rooted in Scripture meant to shape our culture and guide us through seasons of joy and transition.

Let’s press forward celebrating the sweet moments of connection and persevering through the growing pains. Because Jesus is worth it. And while the church may at times feel imperfect and unfinished, it remains God’s design for our discipleship, community, and gospel advancement!

For the Church,

Pastor Jordan