Responses
eric: Ron (8/9/06)
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Responses (sorted by date)
eric: Ron (8/9/06)
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I am going to give you my honest opinion. It is just an opinion, and nothing more.
I do not see that the Village has an Identity. I think that the village is at a stage of development, where it is just beginning to realize that there is this "thing" out there, called an Identity. "This is a cool thing, IDENTITY, and I want one.
But I think that a church, gains an identity in the community over time, and as a result of who is attracted to the church. The strengths and weaknesses of individuals that are members, and or, attend the church, play a part in the development of a "Church Identity," over time. As do the talents, gifts, and passions of the body of believers. I even think the non-believers that attend and develop relationships with body of believers (whoever they [us] are, impact the development of a Church Identity.
As a result of our Character, Environment, Experiences, Nurturing, and Growth, we gain an Identity that defines us, but an identity does not limit us, only gives us a unique purpose and direction.
The Village has always been different. It had its first roots planted in the rich soil of the Seedling Tray, at First Covenant, then whisked away, to be replanted in the rich soil of Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Their, we gained deeper roots, and developed foliage. Then we were transplanted into the pots and planters of The Muse. At the Muse, our growth and care, continued, but the distractions confused us, and we needed attention by the Gardener, and we were given the care and time we needed, to flourish.
The past is our guide, and Christ Jesus is our path. The Village can look at the past, and the future is revealed. The common thread the Village has is Healing of the Individual. We as individuals in the Village have a common thread--we come to be healed and to heal others, this is our passion. We as a group, have a very high statistical percentage of individuals who work as a healer of people, social workers, psychologists, medical professionals, teachers, firefighters, and the list could go on. But I don’t think that there is one person that attends the Village, that has not been healed from the past to some extent, or has not helped others with healing. We are overflowing with compassion for the hurting and downtrodden. Our music and our passion for the arts, confirms this. The arts are used as a tool to heal and comfort.
I believe that the Village Mission Field will come to us through our past successes, and that one day, we will be known as the Healers of Souls, and this will be our Identity, which we wear with Honor, because of God's desire. |
