Where we focus matters. Scripture calls us to, “(keep) our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1 & 2) and to “set (our) minds on things above, not on earthy things” (Colossians 3:2). And we’re promised that our focus holds hope for spiritual growth: “we all … are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Contrary to our individualistic impulses, we don’t exclusively or even primarily focus on Jesus on our own. Instead, seeing Jesus is inextricably linked to properly discerning His Church. This reality is at the core of Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians where he rebukes his readers for failing to “recognize the body” (11:29) at the Lord’s Supper and reminds them that the body of Christ leaves no room for isolation or pride (1 Cor 12:15 -16, 21).

We do not focus on Jesus primarily as a disconnected collection of individuals. As we look to Jesus, we see that He has related us to one another in His Body. We’re part of something bigger. Of course, our local church is part of this. We can also celebrate this and see Jesus more clearly as we relate across denominational lines. Another way to focus on Jesus is to participate in the provincial and national Mennonite Brethren family. As we see and celebrate one another, we are ultimately submitting to something larger that the Holy Spirit is doing to unite us in Christ.

Recognizing that our churches are interwoven in a larger MB story causes us to look up from our local situations and see more of what God is doing. By uniting with a broader expression of Jesus’ Church, we can gain a better perspective on Christ Himself. This month we’re sharing opportunities to hear about how God is working in other parts of Ontario and in our national MB family. Engaging in this larger story allows us to see more of who Jesus is and how He is working. It matters.

Let’s keep our eyes up. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. And let’s allow Him to show us more of what He is doing in and through His Body.

For Jesus’ sake,
Trevor

On June 13^th at 7pm EST, Canada’s MB Church will gather online for our National Assembly. 

Who can be a delegate? 

As you choose the delegates you’ll send to this year’s AGM, keep in mind that each delegate representing a member church must be a church member in good standing who is over the age of 18 and approved as a delegate by the church membership or governing body. Remember too that each member church is entitled to 1 delegate for every 25 members. Only 1 pastor delegate is permitted per church.

A Church Planting Partnership

Jeff Jantzi and The Gathering in Ottawa have partnered with Dan Chook Reid for several years now, to plant Bytown Community Church. We’re thrilled to share this beautiful story with you, as it can serve as a road map for other ONMB churches to plant new churches in their regions. Our province needs Jesus! Our province needs more churches that bear witness to Jesus!

What would it look like for your church to plant a church? To raise up a church planter? Might God be calling you toward this?