In the Gospel lesson today, Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. On the way someone asks Him a question: “Will those who are saved be few?” I can just hear what is unasked: “Surely I will make it. Surely I can let down my guard.” Or, “Surely we will make it and ‘they’ won’t.” Either way the assumption is that the questioner is on the inside. But Jesus’ resounding answer is, “NO! You can’t let down your guard. The Christian life is about moving. Entering is more important than being in. Life is dynamic, it moves and changes, the moment you stop moving you’re in trouble. And the Christian life is full of surprises. Who you thought ought to be in may not be, and folks who you thought never had a chance may in fact be ahead of you!”

Jesus is asking how folks view His message. Is it one more obligation that makes one a good person? Is it fire insurance on which one can rest one’s moral laurels? Is it something that makes one special, sets one apart, and lets one look down one’s nose at others? Jesus’ response is that it is none of those. It is a journey, an ever-increasing relationship with God. Like any other human relationship, the moment it goes static it is loosing ground. It demands intentionality, and it can surprise you at any moment.

The community of St. Christopher’s is called to the same journey. We walk together toward an ideal that God has given us. That ideal is reflected in our mission and vision:

St. Christopher’s mission is to worship and serve God, to know and love Christ, and to share Christ’s love with others.

St. Christopher’s vision is to become a vital outreach community that embraces all newcomers, tangibly communicates the love of Christ locally and worldwide, provides educational opportunities for all within our reach and maintains effective, world-class facilities through inspired stewardship and strong, well-trained leaders.

Let’s take them more in detail: St. Christopher’s mission is to worship and serve God. This is not about us, it’s about God’s intention to restore all of creation to Himself. To know and love Christ. Christ is God taking action in our world to restore it to Himself. Only through the work of Christ is creation reconciled. And to share Christ’s love with others. We have been touched by Christ and are being transformed by His Spirit. Now we touch others in the power of that same Holy Spirit.

St. Christopher’s vision is to become a vital outreach community that embraces all newcomers. We recognize that the Church exists for those who are not yet in it. Newcomers are our lifeblood, the proof that we are doing what we’re all about. Tangibly communicates the love of Christ locally and worldwide. Collectively we do this through sweat equity, dollar donations, and careful planning. Individually we teach our people how to live the love of Christ into their own worlds. Provides educational opportunities for all within our reach. Jesus was constantly teaching about the Kingdom. We follow in His footsteps by offering opportunities for all to deepen their understanding of the Kingdom and their place in it. And maintains effective, world-class facilities. Our physical plant is a tool that equips us to do our ministry. This demands the best facilities possible in view of our mission. Through inspired stewardship and strong, well-trained leaders. Stewardship is everything we do after baptism. Strong, well-trained leaders are needed to form and guide our ministries into faithful service to our mission.

We have four principles that are core values about who we are. Living into these core values will guide us to faithful living of our vision and accomplishment of our mission. They are worship, education, outreach and support, and fellowship.

Worship: We come together to worship our Lord and Savior using a variety of worship services based on traditional Anglican forms of worship which are founded on Holy Scripture. As our second lesson today says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe….” Our worship lies at the heart of who we are as humans and as Christians. We offer a variety of worship experiences to meet the needs of those God brings here.

Education: We encourage the personal growth of our people through a variety of opportunities to learn the truths of the Christian faith and our Episcopal heritage, and other useful aspects of holy and healthy living. II Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Knowing our faith and our heritage equips us for ministry.

Outreach and support: We seek out, support and embrace our diverse community and the military community, wherever they are, active and retired. We serve the Lord with our time, assets and abilities through local organizations who help the needy, and in other activities for the benefit of our own community and beyond. James 2:18 says, “But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Service puts feet on our words.

Fellowship: We build a caring and welcoming community of faith for all within our reach through fellowship and family oriented activities. Philippians 2:1-4 reads: “1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. This kind of fellowship for Christian families is essential to our faith.

Today is Rally Day, and we’ve got a wonderful Church picnic planned after this service. But more importantly, we have tables set up in the Parish Hall on which many different ministries of this parish are displayed. Each of them fits within the mission and vision of St. Christopher’s church, and each of them represents for you an opportunity to get involved, helping to further the cause of Christ. I challenge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to move your relationship with Christ forward. Don’t let stagnation and lack of vision rob you of the full expression of who you are in Christ. Live into the full dominion God has called you to. Get involved, serve the Lord, and extend His kingdom in the world

Fr. Paul Moore+