Second, it’s one of my highest priorities to preach, teach, and live the scriptures; exhorting, encouraging, and unfolding the truth.  I want us to grow authentic faith and become apprentices of Jesus Christ.  Dallas Willard reminds us that an apprentice has one goal:  to become like the master.

A commitment to discipleship is hidden in here:  Following Jesus is about so much more than just making a decision for Jesus … it’s a conversation; about finding ourselves within His story; about following His ways –repentance, obedience, freedom, and commitment to the truths we find in the scriptures.  So, we’ll hold high the standard of God’s truth and recognize that while spiritual transformation encompasses much more than just reading and studying the Bible, the truth contained here (HOLD UP) is the foundation for everything we do, every decision we make.