This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What makes for a growing church? What makes a church healthy? What makes a church thrive?

For the fourth time, we have "won" The Free-Times Best House of Worship in Columbia award. I put "won" in quotation marks because the idea of churches competing against each other does not sit well with me. On the other hand, being recognized by readers, voters, and folks like you means a lot. So what makes a good church great?

We start with a foundation of faith based in the words, actions and ministries of Jesus Christ. We do our best to welcome the stranger and care for a world that needs God's love. We seek to offer radical hospitality, and affirm that all people are made in God's image.

Second, we worship as a community of faith. In this worship we praise God and we ask God to help us grow into the full stature of who we are meant to be. God calls us to grow. The primary way a Christian grows in faith is through worship. A church grounded in faith and worship grows community. I believe it is our community that has been recognized year after year.

The community of St. Martin's is special. We are healthy because we worship and pray together, serve together, learn together, and even play together. We are healthy because we keep our priorities of faith and worship first, letting our community grow organically through those things. Through it all, we grow individually and communally.

If it has been a while since you have been to worship, come see us. The church is right here inviting you to come inside. We are here waiting to welcome you. Come and see what you have been missing. Come and see what others see -- a church doing its best to share the love of God with a world that needs it.

In Christ,

Mitch+