By Pastor Phil
Lead Pastor

As we embark on ministry together in 2023, I’ve been thinking a lot about mission and outreach. I think we are poised to make some significant outward movement together as a church. A lot of groundwork was done last year to help us move in this direction. We were able to fill our worship director position, which frees me up to invest more energy in missional leadership. We have formed a mission catalyst team and developed a process for discerning and implementing new missional initiatives. Our current sermon series and upcoming lent study, is going to be challenging us to discern the ways God is inviting us to partner with him in the work of justice, mercy and liberation for those who are in need of an Exodus in this world. This coming month we are also going to be having a mission focus on our partnership with the Covenant Kids Congo. I’m excited to see the way God will lead us further in mission!

As we look outward as a church, it is important for us to discern not only what God is calling us to do, but how we should go about doing it. In his book, Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking ministry to the poor, Robert Lupton writes,

“How we demonstrate our compassion has everything to do with whether or not the poor actually feel valued.”

Sometimes we can do mission for our own benefit - we can use people to feel better for ourselves. This posture can often impede true compassion. If we impose an external agenda on people without listening to their needs we can create barriers rather than bridges. If we turn people into projects we can accidentally trample on the dignity of those we set out to serve.

Lupton argues that effective mission is guided by the values of reciprocity and relationships. These are two of the values that we have adopted as part of our mission catalyst discernment process. Reciprocity or mutuality, involves recognizing that God is already at work among those we seek to serve. It calls us to have a posture of humility and a willingness to listen, empower and partner with others. Approaching mission relationally involves getting to know people well and respecting the dignity of those we are caring for. We are invited to see our neighbors as people not projects.

Lupton reflects on John 15:15 where Jesus says to his disciples,

"No longer do I call you servants . . . but I have called you friends."

Lupton suggests that friendship is actually a higher calling than servanthood. Unlike servants, "friends are people who know each other, who care, respect, struggle and are committed through time. Servanthood can create an us-versus-them mentality, while friendship encourages respect and reciprocity.”

As we continue to discern and listen for the ways God is leading us out in mission let us keep these values of reciprocity and relational connection in mind. I am excited to see the ways God calls us to partner with and befriend our neighbors in the year to come!

God Bless,
Pastor Phil

By Ruth Mitchell

February is here and we are so excited to celebrate our Covenant partnership with World Vision in bringing hope and opportunities to over 10,000 children and families in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

We kick off this Sunday, February 5, with our Matthew 25 Challenge to raise our awareness of the limitations and challenges faced by children who are living in extreme poverty. In Matthew 25 Jesus reminds us that He considers these little ones in need as our brothers and sisters, and we are to do to them as we would do to Him.
Then on the following Sunday, February 12, we come back together to celebrate our Covenant Kids Congo 10 year anniversary and the amazing, life-changing accomplishments that are bringing hope and empowerment to the children and families in Gemena and Karawa through child sponsorship. We will hear first hand about how our sacrificial giving is impacting communities and bringing fullness of life to one child at a Time. The best news of this day? There will an invitation to sponsorship during this worship service.

By Janet Russell
Pastor of Christian Formation & Community Life

“Our calling is not simply to change the world but perhaps as important,
our calling is to be changed ourselves.” (Eugene Cho)

Want to connect with a small group and grow together to align our lives with Kingdom values? Our Lent study this year will help us grow a biblical and global perspective for living justly in our everyday lives. The study includes foundational principles and encourages action in the areas of prayer, advocacy, consumption, generosity, relationships and creation care. Each group time will include a Bible study and personal reflections, with optional readings, videos, and activities to dig deeper on your own. This year is unique in that we hope to offer a continuing Life Together class following Easter to continue the study together.

Lent groups are small groups that meet Sunday mornings for the six weeks of Lent (February 26- April 2.) Each year they have been a significant time of getting to know one another better and growing together. Registration and purchasing books will begin this week online on our website at Next Steps or paper forms will be available Sunday.

Register Here

In November, our youth invited adults to take time to get to know one another better through an informal interview session. Through this time, we were able to know each other and our life's journey with Christ a bit better. We took photos of the interviews and built our own portrait wall in the foyer. If you haven’t had the opportunity to check it out, you can click on each picture below to see more about what was learned.

Lanie and Dotty

Ayana and Charity

Micah and Peter

Isabel and Rachel

Isaiah and Grady

Mika and Sandy

Aleena and Donna

Steven and Macie

Elsa and Sarah

Jacob, Elliot and Wes

By Jeff Grosskopf
Youth Pastor

Having fun and playing together as a church is one of my favorite things about BCC. Our most recent opportunity to do this was called Cereal-ously Smart Trivia! This was a lively gathering where our entire church family came together to enjoy a delicious breakfast of cereal and engage in friendly trivia competition. This event was a testament to the value of bringing different generations together, and the importance of having fun and engaging in friendly competition. It was a great way to start the day, and I think everyone left feeling energized and ready to tackle the rest of the day! Thanks to all who participated and to those who helped make it happen!!