3 Year Vision: Partners in the Gospel

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5

            Dear members of Christ Lutheran Church,

The theme for Iowa District West is to be partners in the Gospel. When Paul uses the word partner, he uses the word koinonia. The word takes on several forms of meaning which include fellowship, partnership, and joining together. It always is used with a sense of shared relationship. As a church, we become partners with many different people around us. We are partners in the Gospel with our circuit, district, and synod. We can become partners in the Gospel with other organizations around us. We can even become partners with our community so that we can share the Gospel with those who need to hear it.

            Christ Lutheran Church’s mission statement says, “To teach and preach the Gospel in truth and purity so by God's blessing the people of our community receive saving faith and produce a fellowship where Christ's love is reflected bringing others to faith. Are we fulfilling our church’s mission statement? What can we do better to fulfill our church’s mission statement? What can you do to help with carrying out our mission statement?

            The Apostle Paul directs the church in Philippi to enjoy sharing the Gospel and not to become weary when nothing seems to be working. We are not laboring in vain but are working for God and the advancement of His Kingdom. You are an important part of this partnership. The church needs YOU along with your time, talents, and treasures so that the advancement of the Gospel in our community brings others to saving faith. We need you in every way to help this partnership with each other. We need you to help with us being better partners to our circuit, district, synod, and most importantly the community around us.

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