11.10.26
Hello, Beloved.
The other day, I heard Pete Scazzero (Emotionally Healthy Spirituality) say, 'If we know who we are on the inside, no one can define us from the outside.' That's a simple, powerful truth that underscores the importance of our series on the church.
Over eight weeks at Gateway, we worked through the concept of Ekklesia and our relationship to God as the "called-out ones.” We then looked at the five purposes of the church, and yesterday we looked at what the Bible says a saint brings to the church and what an elder brings. As we went through the 8 weeks, we settled on a definition that I really love: The church is a people called by God, to God, for one another, and for the world. She belongs to Jesus, who loved her and gave himself up for her.
Saints and elders have the same 'upward' role: an abiding life with Jesus embodied in Jesus’s 'as' statements: love one another as I have loved you, as the Father has sent me, I am sending you, and forgive as you have been forgiven (plus many others). I don’t know how you hear these words, but for me, they sound impossible. Then I remember John 15, our call to abide in Him. Friends, He is the vine, and we are the branches, and our response is to remain, to abide. Fruitfulness comes from connection to God, so we receive before we release.
For the saint, the inward call is to build a family where people are seen, safe, and secure. Long-lasting transformation and maturation happen where we remain relational with God and each other, live our God-given identity, return to joy, and endure difficulty well. We all have our painful family memories and our relational hurts, so Gateway is going to be a place where the walls come down, and healing can begin. The saint adds value through imitation, intimacy, and identity. Outwardly, you are the means of the restoring power of King Jesus in the breakroom, the classroom, the neighborhood, the grocery store aisle. You are salt and light in places a pastor will never go.
For the elders, the inward call is to shepherd, to protect, and to feed the flock with the Word of God. We lead by example, so our pastoral team goes first in admitting mistakes, receiving correction, and seeking healing. No elder is above biblical accountability. Outwardly, good leadership is about character, charisma, and competence. Jesus exemplified all three, and Paul's list of qualifications for elders weighs character more heavily, as God is deeply concerned about who is leading.
Elders provide guardrails, pastoral protection, and equipping. The saints take that ministry into every home and every workplace. I want to be at the Lord's table with you.
I look forward to crossing His finish line with you. Gateway, you are the church, and Jesus is building her. You are His beloved!
The Lord and His peace be with you and those you love!
GATEWAY EVENTS: Click here.
WHERE TO ENGAGE:
Gateway Groups (a community where you can experience God, be family, and share the love of Jesus with others.)
SUNDAY SERVICE:
CHURCH: People. Purpose. Participation. Part 8 — Entire Service or Teaching Only
Downloadable Spiritual Director Devotional Link
CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORT:
Click here to learn more about Greater Things (our accelerated mortgage elimination commitment) and participate.
Giving Report: (*weekly income needed: $21,500)
November 1: $22,685.64
November 8: $19,873.92
November 15:
November 22:
November 29:
Greater Things YTD 2026: $68,553.39
Current Mortgage Balance: $229,533.53
Take care and stay hopeful. We can’t wait to see you soon.
Transforming Lives Together,
Lance and Darlene Bane
Lead Pastor
Phone: 203-934-0880
Email: office@yourgateway.com