January 27, 2023
Hey Radiant!
I write this from the Jacksonville, Florida airport — waiting to board my plane back to California.
I’ve been at the Covenant Church’s Midwinter Pastor’s Conference this past week. It has been a gift to be here with other pastors from our movement, a renewing and thought-provoking time for sure.
One of the recurring themes of the conference was the power of weakness. It’s in our weakness that the grace and power of God is made manifest. It’s in our vulnerability before God and others that we find healing.
We pastors tend to think that is our strength that will make an impact when it’s really our weakness that changes lives.
When we share with folks that we don’t have it all figured out, that we get frustrated and make mistakes, that we are broken and are in as much need of Jesus as anyone else — this gives people permission to be honest with where they are at with God and others.
In this way, embracing weakness is a powerful and liberating thing — as Paul writes — “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me!”
As we continue our series on Reading the Bible, I think a strategy of weakness is indispensable.
What I mean is that, going in with strength to scripture — with a presupposition that I already know what’s in there, that I will stand above the scriptures and extract a fitting meaning — this gets the approach all wrong.
Maybe we put it this way — instead of me reading the scriptures, I need the scriptures to read me.
I need to go in vulnerably, disarmed, ready to be invited in to the story of God, ready for my strengths to be challenged.
A vulnerable reading of scripture opens the word of God with an open heart. It enters humbly — with a listening posture.
I believe this is crucial — so much bad biblical interpretation has occurred over the years through coming from a place of strength.
With strength, our interpretations tend to become mirrors of our pre-existing preferences and cultural dispositions. Historically, this had led to some very tragic consequences — the most glaring example perhaps is slaveholders using scripture to justify their practice.
But when we let the Bible read us — we are the ones being interrogated, our lives examined, shaped, formed, renewed. We are invited to step into God’s extravagant, transformative love.
This Sunday, we’ll consider some practical ways to read the Bible in a way that allows it read us. This is for everybody — not just Bible experts.
The only pre-requisite is weakness.
See you at 5pm on Sunday!
CALENDAR (see below for details)
Ongoing — Home Churches
2/4 – Harkins Baby Shower (co-ed!) – 2PM at ELC
2/12 – Pre-game Worship Gathering – 1PM
3/12 – Second Sunday Supper
3/25 – Women’s Tea – details coming soon!
4/9 – Easter Brunch 10:30 AM and Worship 11:30 AM
4/21-23 – Men’s Weekend at Mission Springs (Registration now open)
HARKINS BABY SHOWER – 2/4
The Harkins are having a baby! Wahoo! We are hosting a co-ed baby shower for them on Saturday, February 4th at 2pm — at Emanuel Lutheran. We’re so excited to celebrate with them. They are registered at www.babylist.com/baby-rebekah-harkins
PRE-GAME WORSHIP – 2/12
We are going to move our worship service on Super Bowl Sunday from 5pm to 1pm. This will be a one-off time change. Why do this? Well, we want people, disciples of Jesus, to be hanging out with friends and family during a ridiculously culturally significant event — which happens to start at 3:30pm. Our thought is this: instead of competing with the game, why don’t we use the day to have a special pre-game worship gathering where we consider the spirituality of sports in our culture? Or to consider how to party like Jesus partied? We are going to make this day fun — we’ll move worship into the fellowship hall and do a Nacho bar. More details to follow. Btw – it will be the 49ers in the big game!
WOMEN’S TEA – 3/25
Ladies, mark your calendars! More details to follow, but our Women’s Tea event is back — it will be on Saturday morning, 3/25 at ELC.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWS
We’ve got some great news. We’ve hired our own Gracie Crew to be our Children’s Ministry Coordinator! In this part time role Gracie is going to help coordinate and schedule teachers and assistants. She’ll also handle the administrative work that goes into keeping our Radcov kids ministry going and thriving. More than all that, Gracie is excited to continue to share the love of Jesus with kids by being present to them — helping them know that they are seen and loved by God!
HOME CHURCHES
Our Home Church groups are smaller communities that meet during the week where we learn to practice the simple way of Jesus. No experience required, all are welcome. We usually share a meal, read scripture, and consider what God is up to in and through our lives.
This is a great time to consider plugging into a home as we will restart groups in mid-January. If you are interested in learning about available groups and what group might be a good fit for you contact Zach at zach@radcov.org
YOU’RE INVITED TO PRAY
Every Sunday a group of folks pray for the Radiant community from 4-4:30 in the ELC office. You’re invited to join. It is always a good time seeking the face and voice of God together. No need special skills or experience required. Just show up.
MEN’S WEEKEND (4/21-4/23) REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
The Men’s Weekend at Mission Springs will soon be here, April 21st-23rd, 2023. Early Bird Discount of $25 – register before February 15th!!!
We look forward to your joining us for a time of worship, fellowship and growing in your faith journey as we go ‘Back to Basics’. This is an event put on by our regional denominational conference. More information and registration can be found here.
Also — John Fowler has four spots at his private cabin in Mission Springs for those interested in going. This will reduce your registration costs. Contact John at 209.345.5854
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 resources. Please join us! https://band.us/n/adaa739aX4Rca
Grace and peace!
Zach
