"The search is what anyone would undertake if he were not sunk in the everydaynessof his own life. To become aware of the possibility of the search is to be onto something. Not to be onto something is to be in despair." 

Our understanding of faith is the direct result of our hope in the gospel. The gospel of Jesus teaches us that God has not left the world to itself, but has radically entered into time and space to redeem it from sin and despair. This is the truth that we proclaim and hold up to the world—it’s a message that changes everything. It begs us to look beyond ourselves to see reality from God’s perspective. Here, the Kingdom of God shines forth in all its glory, a veritable collision of heaven and earth. We realize that God not only came in Jesus to ransom men and women from sin, but to redeem everything—all that we create, see, and touch is subject to his grace. The resurrection of Christ has ushered in a new age. One marked by God’s victory over all powers and principalities; thus setting into motion a new way-of-being-in-the-world. The church, therefore, participates in the resurrection of Christ by bringing to life what once was dead and decaying. Practically this can manifest itself in a myriad of ways, but as a church we long to restore the beauty, goodness, and truth of God to the Green Lake neighborhood. The hope of God in Christ is a beckoning call to all, to see their lives and activities transformed by the power of the gospel.

Roots signify beginnings, foundations, and commitment. Without firm roots plants wither. Likewise without roots belief fades and faith dies. It is our commitment to see each saint rooted and established in the rhythms and movements of the church. Community life is established as we enter into a process of hospitality. This may include various elements of fellowship, but may be as simple as sharing a cup of coffee. Developing roots in the community of faith teaches us that we do not enjoy life alone, but with each other. Our stories only make sense when they are part of a more continuous whole. Find your place. Dig deep and develop roots.

Tree saplings do not become oaks overnight. A period of growth and maturity must first take place. The same is true within the body of Christ. Jesus  said to his disciples, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine,neither can you, unless you abide in me." Growth entails communing with Christ: abiding in Him, walking with Him, and learning to love the things He loved. Simply put, we must engage in gospel maturity. Once you've planted roots in the church's life, take the next step and let your beginnings flourish. 

A tree's worth is known by the fruit it produces. If firm roots are established and gospel growth takes place, then we should expect our efforts to multiply and bear fruit. In our hearts and families, neighborhoods and work places, we want to see the church's mission reproduce itself through the lives of the saints. As faith takes its course it should express itself, as Eugene Peterson concludes, as "acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son." Faith gives birth to new faith. As we put our hands to the Father's plow, we seek to multiply the Kingdom in our midst.