2022's Opportunity to Adopt the Statement of Personal Devotion
On Saturday, February 12, we will gather at CTR for a retreat. There will be a lot happening at this retreat! One of them will be this year's chance to adopt the Statement of Personal Devotion. What does that mean?
Most of you receiving this newsletter are aware that the overarching vision of our community at Christ the Reconciler is "to live out John 17." We do this on three levels, each of which has (or will have) a specific commitment required.
Personal - The Statement of Personal Devotion describes living out John 17 on the personal level. We offer the chance to adopt this statement annually. This is open to those who live in Central Texas as well as those outside, including internationally.
Community - The Community Commitment will describe living out John 17 as a community in Central Texas. This commitment is still being drafted (almost ready for release ... we promise!). Two of the pre-requisites for consideration to adopt the Community Commitment are (1) having adopted the Statement of Personal Devotion, and lived it out faithfully for at least one year, and (2) living in the geographic region of Central Texas, such that you can join in physically for gatherings at CTR.
Residential - Living out John 17 as neighbors will be addressed as we are able to build and inhabit houses on the land at CTR. When that happens, adopting the Residential Rule will be required to those who live here. Another requirement will be to have lived out the Community Commitment for at least a year.
This means that if you are interested in eventually living at CTR, the first step is to adopt the Statement of Personal Devotion. Of course, there are also many who never intend to live at CTR, or even enter into the Community Commitment, who will also adopt the Statement of Personal Devotion. Why? Because it is so, so good! It is truly a gift from God, to us and through us to a broken world marked by hostility. It helps us know how to respond. Thank you, Lord!
For 2022, the chance to adopt (or renew) the Statement of Personal Devotion will be during the next retreat. This will be on Saturday, February 12. We will also continue our series on Foundations of Community at this retreat - so there will be a lot happening that day! (Note that if you want to come but will *not* be adopting the Statement of Personal Devotion ... wonderful! You can support those who do with your presence, prayers, and encouragement.)
We would like to ask that you let us know (a) if you are planning to adopt / renew the Statement of Personal Devotion, and (b) if you will be present on Feb 12, or will be doing it via Zoom, or can't make it either way that day but still would like to adopt for 2022. This will help us plan. Please fill out this (very short) online survey: https://form.jotform.com/220226036424040
Finally, please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone that you would think may be interested in adopting the statement. The events in the news continue to highlight the need for followers of Jesus to be committed to lives of reconciliation, so there may be someone who comes to mind for you to invite. Thank you!
Group photo after adopting the Statement of Personal Devotion in 2019
Reconciliation Teaching Online!
Last November our CTR retreat focused on Reconciliation, the second action of the Community Commitment. That teaching is now ... finally ... online! You can find an audio-only MP3 as the Teaching of the Week, and here's a link to the YouTube video:
Clare's Teaching from the Last Retreat
Many of you have asked about a link to Clare's teaching on Love & Truth in Community, which we watched at the last retreat on January 15. The answer is ... please be a little more patient! I have requested permission from Clare to make it available on our website, and I have a phone call with her next week to discuss this. Pray for wisdom for her, and also that she would be blessed by our interest!
2021 Giving Statements
We will be sending out giving statements before the end of January, so look for them in your email inbox, soon!
(You can also generate your own from our app )