What Do We Value?

First Peter 5:1-3 reads, “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” We take this command seriously. As such, this year we want to shepherd you more actively than we ever have before.

Jesus, the good Shepherd, said this about His followers: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” As we shepherd you this year, we want you to hear our voice so that you will follow us as we follow God. Since we will no longer be making announcements at the end of the service, the Shepherds will be using this time to offer a Shepherd’s Voice or Congregational Challenge, which will build upon our FOLLOWERS theme or make you aware of core values that are important to us as your Shepherds.

First, we value truth. Specifically, we value the truth that is found in God’s Word. We firmly believe Paul’s words to his friend Timothy: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (1 Timothy 3:16-17). We pray that we will challenge, and provide opportunities, for each of you to dig deep into God’s Word.

We value the cross and the magnitude of Jesus’ gift for us. Jesus’ own words express this magnitude: “For God so loved the word that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Our desire is that we live lives that are worthy of that awesome gift of salvation. We pray that we will challenge you to desire and live such a life.

We value God-honoring relationships. John 13:35 reads, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Our relationships are based on love, but more importantly we are joined together by Jesus’ love and His blood. We pray that all members of Tusculum Church of Christ build life-changing, God-honoring relationships.

We value everyone’s investment in the body of Christ. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (John 4:10-11). It is our prayer that all members will become involved in the kingdom work here at Tusculum Church of Christ.

We believe in our responsibility to hold you accountable. As Peter wrote, we serve as an example. In James, we learn to confess to one another and to pray for one another so that we can be healed. We also recognize that you should hold us, as your Shepherds, accountable.

Lastly, we want to acknowledge the Holy Spirit in all that we do! Galatians 5:25 reads, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” As we lead you and walk with you, you will hear us acknowledge the Spirit more than we ever have. 

May God richly bless each and every one of us this year.

Your Shepherds,

PR, Gerald, Rick, Kerwin, Mike, Richard, Jeff, and Rob