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Growing

The sixth of our core values is that of growth through deepening our knowledge and love of God.  This core value is captured in our vision statement by the word “cultivate.”  Mission, inclusion and community only become possible as we grow in our knowledge of and relationship with Christ.

If we return for a moment to the Gospels, to the stories of Jesus' ministry, what we see is a great teacher at work. Jesus taught using parables, stories and aphorisms (short pithy statements). Jesus taught by referencing the Old Testament (Torah, prophets and writings). Jesus taught by demonstrating the values of the Kingdom of God in all that he did (forgiving, healing and ultimately dying on the cross). Jesus understood that for men, women and children to live into the kingdom of God there were lessons they needed to learn.

Unfortunately many of us have come to see Christian education (learning the stories of Jesus, the writings of the New Testament, the whole story of God's people in the Old Testament and how our Reformed tradition understands them) as a nonessential in our Christian faith. The stories which are intended to shape our faith and life are seen as being irrelevant because we have equated being faithful with merely being nice. Even the word "education" turns us off because it reeks of sitting in class being bored to death by someone who just drones on and on (if you know the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off think of the character played by Ben Stein). Even the idea of growth seems a bit odd considering that faith can be seen as no more than making a statement about Jesus when we are confirmed thus fulfilling our faith commitment.

So why then ought we to see education and spiritual growth as being important in our lives? The answer is blessing. By growing in knowledge of the Triune God we are blessed because we experience the love and grace of God more deeply each day, thus transforming our lives. By growing in knowledge of the Triune God we become capable of being a blessing to others by showing God's love and grace to a hurting world thus helping to transform God's creation. By growing in knowledge we grow in our love of God and neighbor thereby being the blessing we have been called by God to be.

The PCUSA Book of Order puts it this way;

 "The Church is to be a community of witness, pointing beyond itself through word and work to the good news of God’s transforming grace in Christ Jesus its Lord." (F-1.0301) 

In other words God is blessing this world in Jesus Christ through the Spirit and the more we know and grow the more we become capable of being blessed and of assisting in God's work of blessing.

The challenge for us then becomes to make an intentional choice to grow (both for ourselves and our children) in knowledge and love of God.

First Presbyterian Church
Phone:  248-644-2040
Fax:       248-644-8047
Email:    contact@everybodyschurch.org
Address: 1669 W. Maple, Birmingham, MI 48009
Hand in Hand Early Learning Center
Phone:   248-644-2040 ext. 124
FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation 
Phone:   248-646-3347
Presbytery of Detroit
Presbyterian Church USA
More Light Presbyterians
Skyline Camp and Conference Center
Phone: 248-644-2043 (Birmingham Office)
             810-798-8240 (Almont Campus)
Samaritan Counseling Center
Phone: 248-474-4701
  • Home
  • Info
    • Open Positions
    • Important covid information for members >
      • Indoor Worship COVID info
      • Ongoing Groups/Event COVID info
      • Funeral & Memorial Services
      • Pastoral Care
      • COVID Info & Resources
      • Community Resources
    • Need Help?
    • Mission
    • Inclusion
    • Community
    • Why I Go to Everybody's Church
    • Our Vision >
      • Jesus Christ >
        • Celebrating
      • Reaching
      • Serving
      • Welcoming
      • Connecting
      • Growing
    • map and directions
    • Our Staff
    • Staff Contact Information
    • What to Expect FAQs
    • Building Use Fees
    • Baptism
    • Communion
    • Wedding Information
    • Funeral Information
    • Presbyterian Church USA
    • Our Stained Glass Windows
    • The Presbytery of Detroit
    • Contact
  • Worship
    • church at home, livestream, reservations for in-person worship
    • Recent Sermons
    • Bulletins
    • Worship Schedule
    • Rejoicing Spirits Worship
    • Worship Videos >
      • Trombone Choir
      • Choir Videos
      • Handbell Choir Videos
    • Music Ministries
  • Serve
    • Matthew 25
    • Covid-19 Relief Fund with application
    • Skyline Meals
    • Our Efforts to Serve the Least
    • Alcott School Ministry
    • International Missions >
      • Yucatan Peninsula Mission (YPM)
      • Kenya Mission Trip Story
      • Faith Kasoni - Kenya
      • Chang-Lopez
    • Local Missions >
      • Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
      • Little Free Libraries
    • In Our Church >
      • Deacons
      • Stephen Ministry
      • Memorial Service Help
    • Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
    • Mission Videos
    • Songs of Hope
  • Learn
    • Children's and Family Ministries >
      • Resources re: Racism
      • Five Part Story
      • Worship Wonder
      • CrossWalks
      • Faith at Home Resources
      • Sacraments
      • Build a Bible For Kids
      • Milestones for Children
      • Inclusion Videos
    • Youth Ministries
    • Education Videos >
      • Five Women Five Journeys
      • Health and Wellness
      • Theologian in Residence
      • Teacher Training Videos
      • Sacraments Videos
      • Bus Training Video
      • Children's Ministry
    • Adult Faith Formation >
      • Church History 101 >
        • The Jesus Community
        • The Church Expands
        • Constantine to the Reformation
        • The Reformation
        • The Church in America
      • Revelation Bible Study
      • Christian Faith Foundation
      • Genesis Bible Study >
        • Genesis Chapters 1-11
        • Genesis Chapters 12-25
        • Genesis Chapters 26-36
        • Genesis Chapters 37-50
      • John Calvin For Everyone
      • What is a Presbyterian Video Series
      • Two Year Bible Trek
      • Presbyterian Women Study Notes
      • Immigration Information
      • Faith Formation Groups
      • Fellowship and Ministry Groups
      • Classes and Events
    • Hand in Hand Early Learning Center
    • Belhar Confession
    • All Abilities Inclusion Ministry
    • Pastoral Care Specialist Program
    • Disability Inclusion Resources
  • Events
    • Inauguration Prayer Vigil
    • Mission Opportunities
    • Annual Meeting
    • Financial Peace University
    • Learn about Foster Care
    • Adult Confirmation
    • White Picket Fences
  • News
    • Annual Report
    • Email Sign-up
    • First Things
    • First News
  • Connect
    • Inclusive Communities Network
    • Faith Formation Groups
    • Fellowship and Ministry Groups
  • Members' Portal
  • Give
    • Christmas Poinsettias
    • Contribute to FPC
    • Stewardship
    • 2021 Pledge Form
    • 2019 Financial Review
    • Community Rewards Programs >
      • Kroger Sign up/Re-register
      • Link to AmazonSmile
    • FPC Benevolences
    • Deacons
    • First Foundation >
      • Donating
      • Grant Requests
      • Serving the World
      • History