"A Dwelling Place of God"

Written by Pastor Jim Cords

Bethel Lutheran Church

A Vision and Mission Document

January 14, 2001

Contents

Introduction: A Dwelling place of God

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, that is what God has prepared for those who love him." I Corinthians 2:9

Bethel quite literally means "Dwelling place of God".

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." 17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." Genesis 28:16-22 (NIV)

God has been good to us (Bethel Lutheran Church) and is indeed our God. But there is more. God does not simply want a building as a dwelling place. No, instead God wants our very hearts as a dwelling place. And I think who we are individually and corporately is summed up in "Bethel" "A Dwelling place of God". Did you know that God has a dream for you that is even greater than anything you can imagine? And more than that, God invites you to trust him and follow his Son, so that you can be a part of seeing that dream begin to become a reality - - that is the great adventure of the Christian life and the exciting journey that we are on together.

With all of my heart I know that God desires to make us at Bethel Lutheran Church a dwelling place of Christ. I have accepted the call to be your Senior Pastor because I believe that God has brought us together to fulfill his purpose for Bethel.

My role on this team is to provide vision, leadership, and direction as I submit to the Word of God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the accountability of our congregational leaders. Your role on this team is to be a part of discovering God's purpose and to use the unique gifts that God has given you to help live that purpose out. Together we are to grow in our understanding of Jesus Christ and his love.

I would like to lay the foundation for this adventure by prayerfully and wholeheartedly seeking God's dream for Bethel together. This booklet is intended to give you the opportunity to read, study, and reflect as a starting place for this process.

Please prayerfully read through this booklet, respond to the reflection questions. There will also be sessions to start conversations around these ideas. These will provide an opportunity for you to share the dreams that the Holy Spirit has put in your heart, a time for you to share your reflections on this material and a time to answer questions you might have about this document.

I am grateful and excited to be on this adventure with you and I am looking forward to discovering God's purpose for Bethel together! Please pray with me that God's Spirit will guide our every step on this journey.

Serving With You In Christ,
Pastor Jim Cords