We Need Each Other

We have always been taught that Christianity is a personal belief. We are each accountable before God. We do not reach heaven by virtue of our parents or families, but because of our own personal faith in Jesus Christ.

But God never expected us to live our Christian lives in a vacuum. We each have been given spiritual gifts, not for our own personal self-edification, but for the spiritual development of others.

As the Apostle Paul says in Colossians 1:28-29: “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

Everything we do in our lives is to become closer to Jesus and to help others walk closer to Him, as well. And we do that by teaching. Paul is so convinced of the importance of this that he gives this task of teaching others about Christ all his energy.

We are responsible for each other’s spiritual growth. GCSSA exists for that purpose. We endeavor to help all believers to teach others about Christ, whether neighbor to neighbor, parent to child, youth leader to young people, children’s ministry leader to children, adult small group leader to adults, or pastor to congregation. GCSSA began and continues as an association of churches. It is the leaders and people of the churches of the Upper Midwest who help the churches teach. Churches helping churches and people helping people become discipled in Christ. We all need each other to become complete in Christ.

That’s why we have the GCSSA dinner every year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share with each other and fellowship together in the ministry of teaching everyone with all wisdom. It is also an opportunity for everyone to share together in the mission of equipping all believers to make disciples, the primary task given to us by our precious Lord. I hope you all will join us!

-Paul

Paul J. Loth, Ed.D.
Executive Director
GCSSA