Next Meeting and the 1st and 2nd commandments

We had agreed that we would meet every second Sunday of the month, but I believe this month it is the third as the July 2nd was a Sunday. (doesn't really count as the 1st Sunday) For those who can attend please say so in the comment section. Thanks

A reminder...we were going to discuss the chapter on Worship from the book by Minatrea.
I think discussing Nats great thoughts can also be on the agenda.

One last thought, something I have been thinking about.

The first two commandments are as follows

36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

I think the order is very significant, and especially relevant to our discussion about becoming more "missional".(neighbor centered)

What this says to me is that the relationship with God really needs to comes first (the "greatest" commandment), and loving our neighbors (similar but not "as great") comes a close second.

As those charged with thinking about how we worship, the first two commandments strongly suggest that every Sunday needs to focus on both but with a lean towards "Loving God with all our hearts,souls and minds". This would mean alot of getting to know the heart of God through the word, listening in prayer,....alot of adoration through songs and praise. The service content needs to help encourage everyone to really consider how God is impacting their daily lives, transforming, healing, encouraging, forgiving, loving. Then, out of an electric awareness of God's goodness in our lives, we overflow to the second commandment..."Love you neighbour."

How do we obey the second commandment in a service? Let there be discussion about what we are doing in the community, program initiatives, testimonials etc, and the ocassional sermon specifically about serving others. All elements can be very inspiring and encouraging to get involved missionally. But I am afraid that the motivation to love and serve our neighbor will not be sustained without the heavy diet of God. When I read the word, pray and ask God to lead me in my daily life, I find that my motivation to serve comes naturally, more spirit led.

I am really excited and encouraged about the direction of the CHBC with its no nonsense, roll up your sleeves, get real and love people message. It's been really good for me personally, tending to be a little more introverted and introspective by nature.

However, I continue to be faithfully concerned that the imbalance in the effective influence of various leaders in the church will lead us to make "serving others" more a priority than to "first love God with all our hearts, souls and minds."

Maybe the two commandments are not as different as I am making them out to be. If we love others and forget to look up at God in our service, in His grace he looks down and says....good enough. I so want us to remain very God focussed.

I am being challenged.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

Andrew