If you’ve ever noticed the tag line that comes along with our branding at University Lutheran, you will know that it says “A Jesus Centered Community of Scripture, Faith, and Grace.”
The first part of that is the indefinite article “a”. Back in June I wrote about the power of the definite article, but there is also a power in the indefinite. “A” signals that we are only one of many such communities, we are a part of a world wide movement of Christians who place themselves beneath the Cross of Christ and gather around His gifts of Scripture, Faith, and Grace.
“A” is a reminder that if we disappeared today, the Church would go on. It’s a reminder for us to consider ourselves humbly, but is also a reminder to consider ourselves specifically. Since we are “A” Jesus Centered Community of Scripture, Faith, and Grace, we are the one that is set in this location. Similar to old “Marine Rifle Creed” which goes, “This is my gun, there are many like it, but this one is mine,” we can say, “This is my church, there are many like it, but this one is mine.” There are many missions that God has given to churches, but this church’s mission is yours. You are gathered here by the Spirit to be on mission with us, because we are “a” church – the one of these gathered people and this contextual mission.
We are “A” Jesus Centered Community of Scripture, Faith, and Grace. Let us rejoice in the specificity that comes along from being a specific part of a great Body, Who is Christ our Savior.