November 7, 2025
Hey Radiant,
Basic, enduring commitment isn’t really flashy in a culture of seemingly infinite choice and limitless options.
The Australian pastor and cultural commentator Mark Sayers tells a insightful story about this in his book, The Road Trip That Changed the World.
As a young pastor he was trying to reach the unchurched through innovative worship services. They created a Willy Wonka themed worship service with all kinds of clever candy decor, hip music, and surprising connections to scripture. It was a ton of work.
Sayers reflecting on his early church planting, now questions what they were trying to do with these types of services. Were they just catering to consumers? How could this keep this up? How could they compete with all the other things on offer in Melbourne? It felt exhausting.
Further, one of the guests was impressed by the experience but when she discovered they did this every week, couldn’t quite process it:
“You gather everything week? What? How? Why? What if something better comes up?”
Sayers goes on share how starkly different our culturally accommodating approaches to church, community, and commitment are from the vision of life in the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed. Jesus called for costly discipleship — while they were planning services involving Willy Wonka. (and hey! we are doing a talent show this Sunday, lol.)
But what does it mean to commit to Christ, to his body, to his mission today?
To be clear, as much as we resist commitment, this isn’t drudgery and legalism. In fact, joy accompanies commitment. And commitment is beautiful: all the best things in life emerge from commitment.
So friends, I am excited to re-examine commitment in a commitment phobic time — we may just rediscover a lost treasure.
See you this Sunday at 10am.
RADIANT EVENTS CALENDAR
HOME CHURCH – ONGOING
11/9 – Chili Cook Off & Talent Show 5-7PM
11/23 – Church Membership Q & A Town hall after worship
11/26 – Thanksgiving Eve Service with ELC
11/30 – First Sunday of Advent
12/24 – Christmas Eve Service 2PM
CHILI COOK-OFF AND TALENT SHOW
The Chili Cook-off is coming back. But this year, we are spicing it up with a talent show. Join us on Sunday, November 9th from 5-7PM. Sign up to bring Chili, Cornbread, and to share your talents. If you would like your Chili to compete, we will take the first 10 people to sign up for competition. All ages welcomed to perform in a 5min or less act. Bring your friends — all, as always, are welcome. We’ll also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Stanislaus Food Initiative.
Please sign up here.
RADIANT YOUTH SUNDAY NIGHT
Radiant Youth will join the Chili Cook-off and Talent Show this Sunday Night.
WOMEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY 6-7AM
We’ll meet at ELC!
RADCOV KIDS SCHEDULE
Both glow and shine are back open this Sunday! Look forward to seeing the kiddos this Sunday.
MEMBERSHIP TOWNHALL Q & A – 11/23
We are beginning the church membership journey at Radiant. This is an exciting time but sure to generate questions. We want to create some space to get this conversation started. We are going to meet following service on 11/23 for questions and answers and share a bit more of the vision behind membership at Radiant.
FOOD SHARING TABLE AT KINGDOM COFFEE
Kingdom Coffee (Oakdale and Orangeburg) and hosting a food sharing table. Feel free to help yourself to food or bring something to share.
HELP SEND MJC STUDENTS TO URBANA
From Isabella Andrews (Intervarsity staff at MJC) : “The MJC Intervarsity chapter has five students who are hoping to go to Urbana, praise God! Four of the five actually attended the conference last month and had an amazing experience learning more about Jesus. They’ve been so excited to share what they learned with their peers! We were recently talking about finances, and together they need to raise about $2,500 to cover travel, hotel, and food costs.” If you would like to help with these costs reach out to Isabella at (209) 996-6850
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and opportunities.
PRAYER
Join us for preservice every Sunday at 9am at MJC near the children’s ministry rooms.
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
[email protected]
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
