Vineyard Church of Knox County
Living the Greatest Commandment
If you could sum up the entire Christian experience, the ultimate goal of the Christian life ? that is, how we are supposed to live ? in one sentence, could you do it? (Those of you who were at the last Sunday Night Celebration could, I hope!) Well, Jesus was asked this same question by the religious leaders of his day when they approached him saying, "What is the greatest commandment?" Without hesitating (one of the things I love about Jesus is that he always had a good, quick answer for his questioners) Jesus answered, "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength. And the second follows closely behind it, Love your neighbor as yourself."
So, if someone were to ask me what our ultimate goal is for the people who come to the Vineyard Church of Knox County, that is, what all the programs, and services, and lessons, and seminars, and trips, and retreats are contributing to, I would answer, “To equip people to live the greatest commandment in their everyday lives every day of their lives.”
With that thought in mind, that our ultimate goal is to actually live the greatest commandment, we (myself and my advisory council) have spent many hours studying Scripture, praying, brainstorming, planning, writing and editing the mission, priorities, values and vision statements of the Vineyard Church of Knox County (VCKC). After multiple face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and emails we are excited to share with everyone the identity and direction of this church that God is forming. We have a clear goal in mind and good strategies for accomplishing it, which we believe are consistent with God’s heart and mind. But when we sum it all up, all of our time and effort, we simply want to be used by God as His tool to equip people to live the greatest commandment.
This is an exciting time in this new church! We hope that you are not only anxious to hear and see what we have to present, but are able to join us this Sunday, June 1st, from 2:00-4:00 at the Inn at HillenVale (1615 Yauger Rd.). Furthermore, since this will be an inspiring time of vision, hopes and dreams, please bring friends whom you think might be interested in joining what God is doing with us. Are you willing to make one phone call this week or send one invitation? For, part of living the greatest commandment is inviting others to join us on the journey.
