Monday, January14

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This week we take a break from our study of Genesis to talk about a different kind of genesis; the genesis of the church. More than that, we’ll talk about the nature of the church and what the church is to do and be in the world. And specifically, we’re going to talk about our church, First Baptist Church of Geneva, FBCG. We’re going to talk about where we came from, who we are right now as well as where we are going in the future. 

If FBCG is your church home, I hope you will be both encouraged and inspired by what God has to say about and to us as his church. If you are part of the “10 Minutes with God” community but live in a different state or country – or are committed to another church family – then I hope you will be encouraged and inspired by our little part of the story of Christ’s church! 

Next week we will go back to our series Genesis. Thanks for reading and listening to “10 Minutes with God.”

Ephesians 4:1-6

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

In 1909 car maker Henry Ford famously said, “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.” Needless to say, our culture has moved from one choice in car colors to a seemingly endless and infinite variety of choices.

And, in a way, the same thing has happened to the church.

When I arrived at FBCG as Youth Pastor in 1986, we had one worship service, one style of worship music, one worship venue (sanctuary), one Sunday school hour, and one building.

Today, just over 26 years later, we worship in 6 services every weekend and those services take place over two days and in four different venues and use 2, 3 and sometimes 4 styles of music. We operate two campuses and offer multiple equipping options at both campuses – not only on Sundays, but throughout the week. And if you miss a weekend you can watch the sermon you missed on our website or keep up with our sermon series through the online devotional guide, “10 Minutes with God.”

I have to be honest; sometimes I miss the “old days!” It was simpler to understand, easier to lead, and it was comfortable. But our community has changed and our opportunities have grown, and God has called and enabled FBCG to adapt and change in order to more effectively reach both our community and the world.

As I look at and experience our church family these days, I think I can make two observations that are equally true.

• FBCG is not the same church it was when my wife and I arrived in 1986

• FBCG is exactly the same church it was when we got here

How can both be true?

It comes down to what truly makes us one. 

In Ephesians the Apostle Paul writes:

There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  Ephesians 4:4-6

Paul is teaching the early believers, and us, that what makes the church one has nothing to do with buildings, campuses or worship venues. But our one-ness has everything to do with Christ. It is the Holy Spirit that dwells in our hearts by faith and shapes us into the body of Christ. 

I thought about this text at our annual picnic/baptism in August, which included, for the first time, a Serve the World food-pack event. 

I saw hundreds and hundreds of people, representing multiple generations, multiple neighborhoods, and even multiple cultures, gathered from across two campuses and multiple worshiping communities, sharing both fellowship and service together, and unified in the Spirit and truth of Jesus Christ. 

Week after week we affirm our commitment to reach, connect, equip and serve; and in recent days have launched our “Serve the World” initiative to make the gospel visible and tangible through local and global mission partners.

As I peer into the future God has for FBCG, I see us continuing to worship on different campuses and in different venues; I see us celebrating worship with different styles of music; I see us offering many different points of connection and many different opportunities for spiritual growth and service; but I see us as one. 

We are one in the Spirit; we are one in purpose; we are one in Christ; we are one church! Thanks for being part of the FBCG family!

Brian Coffey