It is very clear if you are really part of something. If you are part of a team, you participate. You go to training, you are happy to wear the uniform. You pay any fees due. You help out where you can. People who say they are part of something but show no real involvement at any level may very well be fooling themselves, but no one else is fooled. It is obvious if you really are a part. That goes for all sorts of activities and relationships. As a church, we welcome new people every week- and we are happy for people to take their time working out how they are responding to the claims of Christ. In the end however, we need people to be a Part of our mission as a church wanting to carry out Christ’s mission.

If you want to be a Partner with a church, it will show in your willingness to use your gifts, skills, abilities, time and resources in the mission. You will also become Part of the financial support of church. God owns everything- and he allows us to use money to contribute to local church ministry. That is what we are considering this week at church, and asking our regulars to become financial partners in achieving the mission to Transform lives as they encounter Jesus.