Rally around our Family Flag

I reminded us in the moderator's address at Equip '05 that we are a good family. FGBC responses to the Katrina disaster continue to prove the point. Again, I honor you. You are doing well.

I also exposed us at Equip '05 to our Family Flag. The Family Flag is a brief, memorable restatement of our core values - biblical truth, biblical relationships, biblical mission. Here is a picture of the Flag.

Jesus:His Word, His Church, His Mission is substantiated as a restatement of our FGBC core values by several years' worth of listening to your comments about who we are and where we are going. You have formed the Flag. I collected and reported the results. Now I pray that we will continue to "rally 'round" it.

If you would like a banner or flag version of the Family Flag, you may order one from - Flags' n Banners, 771 E. Main St., Ephrata, PA 17522 Telephone 717-738-4538

Keith Shearer, Moderator '05 - '06

Our Family Flag

Jesus! He is the sume of our core values. On our Family Flag, we presuppose that He is at the top, in the center, underneath, and all around. We are captivated by Him.

Here is a listing of statements you, FGBC leaders, have made about our fellowship in relation to Jesus

* We are Jesus-centered.
* Jesus is the Head of the Church.
* We're about God's glory (Ephesians 3:21).
* We are at our peak in worship.
* Jesus is our highest value.
* It's about His agenda.
* We are worshipping chures with Christ at the center.
* Passionate to Follow Christ.
* The Trinity - the key doctrine.
* Prayer is the evidence.
* The true Jesus of the Bible (not pretenders or contenders).
* Jesus is coming - our Blessed Hope!

Of course we could fill volumes with pages of superlatives about Jesus. The point for today is to celebrate the recognition that the FGBC is "all about Him" - really!


Keith Shearer, Moderator '05 - '06

What is God's purpose through Katrina for the FGBC?

I am glad to be in a Fellowship of churches that is reaching out in love to provide relief to those devestated by Hurricane Katrina (see www.gbnam.org for information). In a time when people are reacting in fear, anger, bitterness, and even murder, rape and thievery, it is refreshing to realize anew that people of God act in His love.

The log I want to throw on the FGBC fire today is a reminder that we should be alert to and participate in sovereign God-moments and God-events. This is not to deny that every moment and event is under the sovereignty of God. But, sometimes we are allowed to see more clearly. As I considered Psalm 107:25-29 and Isaiah 45:7 this week it became clear again that God caused the hurricane for His purposes.

What is God's purpose through Katrina for the FGBC? Will there be those God moves to Louisiana or Mississippi to plant Grace Brethren churches as a result of the storm? Will God put in the hearts of Grace Brethren people the burden to have better structures in our fellowship to respond to such needs? Are there lessons from Katrina about poverty, racism, or justice? Will evangelists use this event to urge people everywhere to trust in Jesus so they are prepared to be evacuated before a global disaster, the Tribulation, comes? What will we learn from this calamity about families and churches taking care of one another? How will our Bible teachers train us to respond when others question or attack God's goodness, caring, presence, power, or existence in the face of disaster?

There is something from God in this hurricane designed for everyone, including every Grace Brethren leader. Will we respond well to this sovereign God-moment/God-event, or will we watch this pass us by? As we all do what we can to help, maybe God is calling you to go above and beyond, maybe even to begin a new church in New Orleans or Biloxi (or elsewhere) during this rebuilding period.

From the winds and waves of Katrina, may there come the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit and an overwhelming wave of ministry upon the FGBC.