This past Sunday, we hit the halfway point in our seven week discussion of the 7 Mile Road story from Luke 24. I have to tell you that I love the church that our Launch Team is envisioning so far. Up to this point, we have described a church that sees life as a journey and wants to walk with sinners and saints as we discover truth over time (mile 1); sees ourselves and our city as broken and in need and stresses the need to be humble and accepting as Jesus was (mile 2); longs for Jesus and His Gospel to be cornerstone of this new church so that 7 Mile Road might be planted by Jesus and for Jesus (mile 3); and places the Scriptures at the center of our church knowing that at the center of the Scriptures is the person and work of Jesus (mile 4).
Is that a beautiful picture of the church or what? We still have more to talk through, but I could get excited about being a part of a church like the one described above. Every week, we’ve ended our time by asking the Lord to make this beautiful picture come to life. It’s easy to envision a great church sitting in a living room. God has to make that vision a reality. But here’s the cool thing – I think He’s already starting to do it in our hearts.
by Ajay Thomas
Ajay lives in Philadelphia with his wife Shainu and their kids Hannah and Micah. He is responsible for preaching and vision as a pastor at Seven Mile Road.