Tom Bandy tells that some fishermen in a small boat went to their favorite spot about five miles from the coast. In the late afternoon, a dense fog rolled in catching them off guard. They started back too late. Land was now invisible. After several moments of panic, one of them remembered an old compass in the bottom of his tackle box. The pointer told them to go in the direction different from the ones their instincts had chosen. Desperate, they decided to trust the authority in that tiny sliver of metal, and at long last, the shadowy outline of land emerged through the mist. The dock from which they had departed was only a few feet away.
Every endeavor, from fishing to dentistry to space science, needs an authoritative base of reliable information. Our spiritual growth as Christians is no exception. People who find their way home to God must head in the right direction. Thus, Paul’s advice to one of his churches is still important: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” The Bible is the only dependable source of the words that Christ spoke. The Bible is not the shoreline — Christ, not a book, is the goal of faith — but the words on these pages provide authoritative advice for moving in His direction.
We are pleased to introduce Community Bible Study to the Imagine Church family. Community Bible Study allows us to explore the Bible and what it tells us about the God who has woven His story through history and is present with us now. There are actually five different components: individual study, encouraging discussion, effective teaching, insightful commentary, and caring community. CBS will begin in Imagine Church this fall, and this spring and summer you can register your desire to participate. To enroll or learn more, feel free to contact Lindy Wetherell at 704-287-3995 or email her at [email protected].
If you seek a stronger sense of direction in your life or simply want to gain greater insight on your voyage, we at least know where we can locate the compass. Among the many things offered by Imagine Church, we also give directions! Join us at the “compass place” this Sunday!
In the name of the One who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
Bruce Jones, Pastor and Co-Creator,
Imagine Church of the Carolinas
