BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH

Message by Lisa Goetz – June 21, 2026

BIC CORE VALUE: Belonging to the Community of Faith

We value integrity in relationships and mutual accountability in an atmosphere of grace, love and acceptance.

Jesus Prays for All Believers – John 17:20-23 (NIV) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Belonging to the community of faith … is to mirror God’s relationship.

Ephesians 4:12-13 (NIV) ...to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

“God does not gift people simply to promote religious busywork, but to assist others in their walk with Christ.” Chuck Anderson, Focusing Our Faith: BIC Core Values

Belonging to the community of faith … is more than an activity you sign up for.

3 Bs of Christian Community

Traditionally in this order …

1. Believing 2. Behaving 3. Belonging

Postmodern era challenges this sequence (notably John Westerhoff in 1970s about children & faith, and James Fowler in early 1980s) …

1. Belonging 2. Believing 3. Behaving

Belonging to the community of faith … is best when we show up as our whole selves.

Pray about your next step:
– Finding 2-3 other people
– Joining a serving team
– Admitting where you can use support
– Disciple someone while also being discipled by another person/people

About Lisa Goetze: Lisa Goetze is Associate Pastor, Community Engagement at Sauble Christian Fellowship. She’s the fun aunt to three nephews. Lisa enjoys good coffee, hiking trails, reading, and deep conversation with close family and friends. When those things combine with her pastoral role, that makes for a great day!

You can listen to the sermon on YouTube here.