At the beginning of 2020, our theme for the year was “2020 Vision.” Our goal was to focus on the vision the Lord had imparted to us as a community of faith. The advent of the COVID pandemic and the corresponding Public Health Emergency brought with it a shift in priorities, while never losing sight of our visionary mantle. For 2021, we will refocus on the vision we have as a covenant body in ministering to the region to which our Lord has assigned us for His Kingdom.
Our theme for 2021 is REFOCUS. It can be summed up in the following acrostic:
R-Righteousness
E-Evangelism
F-Forgiveness
O-Obedience
C-Character
U-Unity
S-Sanctification
Righteousness: The word literally means “right standing with God.” As believers we must walk in the revelation that we are not merely poor sinners saved by grace. Because we have been saved by grace, we are no more sinners, but we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Walking in the revelation that our sin has been put away through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we have been reconciled to God and can enjoy the peace, favor, and blessings afforded to all His sons and daughters.
Evangelism: As defined by our Lord in the Great Commission, it is incumbent upon us to reach out to a world that is lost and share with them the Good News. If ever there was a time when the world needed the hope that can only be found in the Lord, it is now.
Forgiveness: It is imperative that we walk as believers in a spirit of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. We can never be a prisoner to bitterness and unforgiveness. Author Marianne Williamson said, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.”
Obedience: As believers, we must walk in obedience to the direction the Lord has provided for us in His Word. We cannot walk to the beat of our own drum and expect to live in the abundant blessings afforded us within His covenant.
Character: Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that we are salt and light. We must maintain our Christ-like character if His Kingdom is to be influential and integrated into the society to which we are placed.
Unity: This is a critical dynamic for the Church of the 21stcentury. Regardless of our denominational tags and non-essential doctrinal views, all who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior must unite together to accomplish the mission to which He has called us. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Our Lord prayed in John 17 that we be one. Let it be so!
Sanctification: The word literally means “set apart or separated for the glory and purpose of God.” As believers, we must daily consecrate our lives to live holy and demonstrate the character of Jesus Christ to the world wherein the Lord has placed us.