Here is where it happens. Where is here? Here is right here, among us. Here is the community of faith, and every local congregation, large or small, is a visible manifestation of that community. The gathered community of faith is the port of entry for the initiatives of God. That is the it, the initiative of God. Does saying that place too high an estimation upon the local congregation?

If your answer is yes, then think about this. The storytellers of the Bible preface pivotal events with scenes that are domestic, institutional and familiar to all of us. What can be more familiar to us than hearth and altar, family and local church? Here is where each of us begins our pilgrimage with God from baptism to confirmation to mission and discipleship. Here is where faith is nurtured and…