University Blog

Church Family,

 

This past weekend I had the opportunity to preach in our 11am Modern Worship service. As the Modern Worship director here at University, I rarely get a chance to stretch this muscle, but I enjoy it immensely whenever I do! I’m not an ordained clergy in the United Methodist Church, I’m not a licensed local pastor, and I don’t even have a seminary degree! Regardless of this, the leadership at University graciously (and maybe even recklessly) entrusted me with the ‘pulpit,’ and for that, I am incredibly grateful.

 

One thing I touched on was the willingness of our community at University to come alongside those who are struggling deeply. To listen and love them without judgment, and to pray for them to see breakthrough. Sure we all have our struggles, but as believers in Christ, we are called to carry each other’s burdens as well. 

 

- Galatians 6:2

 

We talk about ‘community’ and ‘accountability’ in the church quite often. In fact, many of you are probably a part of a community or accountability group! These are hugely important, but the truth is that we don’t stress the importance of confession nearly enough. Repentance - sure, but with repentance, there must come confession. To repent or ‘to turn away from our sin and toward Christ’ requires true community and accountability. If we are serious in our repentance then we understand what is required to truly turn from our sin. 

 

- James 5:16

 

God is faithful to forgive us anytime we come to Him in repentance, but my hope is that we can go deeper in our vulnerability with one another. Whether it be depression, anxiety, anger, substance abuse, sexual sin, etc., my prayer is that University would be a place that listens intently and prays unceasingly for one another so that no one would feel out of place, un-welcome, or un-heard. 

 

No sin is beyond the forgiveness of Christ, and no sin is too serious for confession in our community!

 

Love well,

Wes Taylor