First Notes: Better Together

Dear First Baptist Family, 

Our theme for the next several weeks is Better Together. What does this mean for us?

First, it means that we are better together when we experience deep and abiding friendships. You may have heard of what has been called an “epidemic of loneliness.” Feeling lonely is not a new phenomenon, but what is new is how more and more people feel isolated. People on average have fewer friends and spend less time with friends than they did a few decades ago. 

As a downtown church, we are uniquely situated to help people be relationally connected and supported. We help people connect across generational, vocational, educational, and economic differences, as well as a host of other factors that cause people to feel separate from others. 

Second, it means that we are better together when we work as a team and not just as individuals. Every person has an important place in the family of God. We have each been given different gifts, from teaching skills to organizational prowess to artistic talent, and all of these gifts makes sense when they come together of the mission of making disciples. 

Our mission is that We Help People Find and Follow Jesus. Our vision is the 15% Vision — that over the next generation, God will allow us to develop a spiritual impact over 15% of the Knoxville population during any given week. 

This mission and vision takes all of us — the young and old, the brave and timid, the loud and the quiet. And as I said in Sunday’s message, “It is an exquisite thing when it all comes together.”

Finally, it means that we are better together when Christ’s love grows among us. Wherever Jesus goes, life gets better. When we work in harmony, centered on Jesus as we love one another and reach out to those who are disconnected, God’s love will increase among us.

It was exciting to welcome three new members yesterday even with low attendance for Fall break. God continues to expand our church family. As God’s mercy widens to include others, our desire is that our love for one another will only grow deeper. 

Years ago I ran across this brief verse. I don’t remember the source, but I think it captures the unity that God gives through God’s love.

We are many, God's great diversity, yet we are one in Christ.

Different faces, different races, yet we are one in Christ.

Butchers, bakers, website makers, bankers, tailors, teachers, sailors, yet we are one in Christ.

Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, single, married, broken, carried, yet we are one in Christ.

The happy, the clappy, the barely out of nappies, the ancient, the modern, the famous, the forgotten, yet we are one in Christ.

Some hopeful, some hopeless, some cope well, some cope less.

Some sure, some doubt, some whisper, some shout, yet we are one in Christ.

Those with abundance, those with need, those who are generous or wrestle with greed, yet we are one in Christ.

Elbows, tummies, knees and noses, kidneys, femurs, teeth and toeses. Some unmentionable, some protected, some accepted, some rejected, yet we are one in Christ.

A broken body, torn apart, mars God's image, breaks God's heart.

And yet our Father knows how the end will be, when all his kids will sing in harmony, the bride will dazzle, her branches bloom, so add your voice to hymn the tune that we are one in Christ.

Praise God that we are One in Christ. We really are better together. 

I thank God for you — for your love, your support, your generosity, and your service. 

Have a wonderful week —

With love, 

Pastor Brent McDougal