What’s behind the Name of this publication The Center ... Christ, His Cross, His World Mission Partners Platform (MPP) – after numerous comments regarding the length of its name (and staff email addresses) in mid-December officially changed its name to The Center (thecenter.info). The name “The Center” was picked by constituents and staff members because of its simplicity and precision:

+  Christ our Redeemer, Savior, and Lord, is the center of the Holy Scriptures

+  His cross is the center of biblical theology

+  His world remains the center and focus of His love, concern, and His saving work through the Church

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This week in God Work’s Weekly (vlog; found on our Facebook and Instagram accounts and on ConcordiaMarket.com):

• Tune In as Jeff Heisner interviews Pres. Michael Gibson of the Pacific Southwest District (PSW) regarding the horribly catastrophic fires in Los Angeles and surrounding area ... and on how you can help!
• Catch up on a follow-up story in Christianity Today on how 30 plus Evangelical Universities continue to grow ... and how CTX students live out their faith in the world today.
• Sports: Probably fewer than 20 years ago professional - and college - athletes would not talk about their faith, Jesus, or their relationship with Him. My how things have changed! Athletes are now giving glory to God for the successes and blessings they are experiencing.
• This week don’t miss “What Cha Reading” with Rev. Dr. Jeff Kloha and find what’s in com

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GMD (Go Make Disciples) Crossroads:  A friend recently shared this quote with me on the challenging nature of missions and the necessity of local congregations:

Within all of this, the local congregation is critical.  The congregation is where people touch the church and are touched by it.  It is there that literally millions of people are struggling to understand their own personal sense of mission and to get the strength to pursue it.  The congregation is where new people are brought into a faith-heritage that connects them to the biblical story and to the life of the people of God.

 It is also there that the urgency for mission is already being felt and articulated.  It is there that the new structures and roles (laity, clergy, judicatory, etc.) must be discovered to undergird that mission.”  - Loren Mead, The Once and Future Church, pg. 5,6,7 (1991, Alban Institute)

As my friend often says, “Mead was a freaking prophet.”

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Also, if you haven’t already, don’t forget to register for our second Now – New – More Collaboration (Feb. 11-12) in Chandler, Arizona. If you are attending the Best Practices in Ministry Conference (Feb 13-15) in Phoenix, come a few days early and join us.

Here is the link to register:  https://concordiamarket.com/now/. This link also has the schedule of speakers and hotel information.