GVCC Church Retreat 2014: God’s Holy Church

This year’s annual church retreat at Lake Tahoe was a great blessing and encouragement. The topics focused on God’s holy church as presented in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

During Thursday evening’s introductory messages, we learned that the church is made up of God’s covenant people, those who are citizens of his kingdom, and the preciousness of the church. What a blessing it was to contemplate God’s love for us as his church and to consider that he delights in us just as we can delight in him!

In subsequent meetings we were warned to consider carefully if we are in this marvelous church. Are we simply here in attendance but missing out on the true life found in the Gospel? Are we depending on our good reputations or acts of service to save us or are we humbling ourselves before our great king? And do we have a changed nature such that we hunger and thirst after God, striving to live a life of repentance and holiness in thankfulness to all he has done for us?

Friday evening was set aside as a special time for the women to meet together and consider God’s promises. Dr. Sharon Broderick encouraged us to look at our lives and see if we have truly gained what God has promised us. God has provided all we need to live a victorious life. We must go in faith and gain this highly blessed life we have been promised by living in faithful obedience to our savior Jesus Christ.

On Saturday Pastor Mathew spoke about the roles within the church and how God equips each of his people for the work they are individually called to do. For example God selects some to be pastors and teachers, and they have a great responsibility to protect and care for the church, but we all as members of God’s church have a duty to build one another up in faith and doctrine. Pastor Mathew encouraged us to grow out of spiritual infancy and become mature – able to think biblically and be of use to the church.

As the final focus on Sunday, we were presented with the view of the church as God’s temple and how we individually can build into this structure by following God’s proscribed plan as individuals and as families.

It was a glorious thing to take this time to contemplate God’s holy church, and to come away with a great sense of awe and wonder at this great gift of being members of God’s church here on earth.

Read testimonials from those who attended the GVCC retreat and be encouraged by what God spoke to them.

Laura Colvin contributed this post.