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There is a challenge set before us as a growing congregation, and that
challenge is spiritually and corporately managing the gift of growing.
We are blessed to provide a place for all to experience the love of Jesus and
the opportunity to work for the Kingdom of God. It is imperative that we
as a community of faith, both staff, and those who call Advent home, to
be creative and innovative when it comes to our growth. Participation is
the key and that brings to light the need for all to feel a part of our ministry
and that no one should fall through the cracks. This is, of course, a two-way street as each disciple of Advent discovers God ’s plan for his or her life, and the pastors as well as the community itself empowers and equips them to grow spiritually and in service to the greater cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The foundation of any congregation is its pillars, and I believe that everyone at Advent is a pillar of faith as we all hold up the ministry. Each of us has a unique and particular purpose in the master plan of Advent ’s witness to Christ in the world. The question of “how can we give permission and equip everyone to serve at the level they are comfortable?” is a big one. Another is, when more and more find their place,“how shall we serve together?” First and foremost, it is God ’s power among us in the form of the Holy Spirit that calls us out and makes us who we are called to be. With a disciplined commitment to an inspired prayer life; deeper understanding of how we daily worship God with our heart; mindful and heartfelt bible study; and attention to the poor, outcast, and suffering, we begin to see God ’s plan and discover our place in that plan. This is a call to combine church, home, and our daily walk into a united whole of Christ-centered living. Secondly, we need to build the relationships with each other as we encounter the world around us. |
Working side by side for the sake of the gospel requires the understanding
that we grow together out respect and love. There is a need to under-stand
an ethical way of living together. As any community grows, we
realize that we are different. Diversity is the key to any congregation, for
without the recognition of our unique gifts, we stagnate. The Bible gives powerful guidance in how God ’s people will live together, and it is imperative that we have an ethical understanding of our work in the Kingdom. This ethical understanding is found in our behavior and communication, between female/male, adult / child, pastor / congregation, generation/generation, poor/rich, sick/healthy, and many other relationships. These are days that call for the church to stand tall in faith, always seeking to lead other Christians and the world to higher ground of love and faith, and it begins with us. The blessing of growth brings with it great responsibility, and I feel that a community is called to be proactive and solution oriented rather than reactive and problem oriented. I write to you in the midst of a great opportunity to continue to grow Advent into the image of Jesus Christ through an intentional accountability to both God and each other. I am truly excited to be a spiritual leader of Advent along with Pastor Larry and the rest of the staff. The "Road Show" is a beginning as we focus on building the people of Advent. Shepherding will follow along with continued growing worship, education, and service opportunities all to the glory of God and the building of the Kingdom. In these times of great growth both spiritual and corporate at Advent, let us take this opportunity to work and pray when we are strong. These are great days to be Advent! Join us and to-gether we can change the world. Pastor Kovitch |
If you are looking for a place to worship or interested in joining, please come
visit us. All are welcome. We are a community of faith, fed
by the Spirit, focused on the family, and led to serve.
Our mission
is "to know Christ and make Christ known".
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