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A GRACEPOINT TOP 5
M
usic has its Top 40. David
Letterman has his Top 10.
And now, Gracepoint has its Top 5!
As a relative newcomer – we only
joined the Gracepoint family in
September 2010 – I still look at our
church with fresh eyes.
Such
perspective can catch glimpses of
what we lose sight of when time
breeds familiarity.
So, before the
beauty becomes too common, here
are, in no particular order and with
all sincerity, the Top 5 things I love
about being part of the Gracepoint
family:
1. Cinnamon Buns.
I know it sounds a little cheeky
and rather trite, but any body of
believers that makes cinnamon
buns an integral part of the
communion of the saints is
alright with me. I don’t mean to
over-spiritualize baking, but they
really are sweet nectar from
heaven and I love the way people
look for these sweet treats as
part of their experience of the
church gathered.
They add an
expectation to every Sunday
morning that is a metaphor of
what we look forward to in being
together to praise God and grow
in our walk with Christ. It is true
that every good and perfect gift
comes from the Father above –
including sticky buns.
2. Great Tunes. When we
gather we are led by amazing
musicians.
Great music drills
deep the poetry of the soul and
causes us to sing the truths of
Scripture. It’s easy to take for
granted how well we are led
when it is the “normal” we are
used to, but we dare not do that.
God has blessed us with amazing
teams of people who are lead
worshippers in song…throw your
heart into praise with them!
3. Multiple Campuses.
I am struck by the beauty and
diversity of our campuses and see
it as God’s way of preparing and
shaping us to be a people with the
freedom and creativity to reach the
diversity of Surrey and beyond.
Our multiple campuses discipline
us to think about our city with
bigger vision; to see Surrey as God
sees it and not just how we do.
This has challenges, no doubt, and
will continue to call us to
adjustments, but our multi-site
reality is a great gift.
4. Come As You Are.
This is a church that knows how to
welcome and make space for
people of all sorts, kinds, and
histories. The power of this type of
embrace cannot be overstated.
Each week I see people welcomed
without question. I have never
heard one disparaging comment
about anyone who comes among
us. That’s not to say we’re perfect,
but it does say a lot about how we
understand the heart of God for
people on a journey. This is an
enormous strength and the
embodiment of the love of God
that welcomes prodigals – which
we have all been in some way.
5. Grace Is The Point.
This band of Jesus-followers is aptly
named. Grace is truly the point
Page 6
around here. All of us come to the
table as sinners and eat the bread
and drink the wine of a new
covenant whereby sins are
forgiven and a new hope for the
future is born. I have heard the
stories of how grace has
transformed members of our staff
– what a great place of wonder,
humility and thanksgiving they
lead from as a result. I also hear
this same theme echoed over and
over again as I come to know
people’s stories: God’s grace has
claimed us and amazed us and that
is the point we long to share and
demonstrate in our community
and shout to the ends of the earth.
What are the Top 5 things you love
about Gracepoint? I’d love to hear
them. In fact, I’d love to print of a few
of your lists in a future Connection
Point. So, jot down your Top 5, send
it on (phil@gracepoint.ca), and look
for more Gracepoint Top 5’s from me
in the future.
Phil Wagler
phil@gracepoint.ca
Ex. 209