Estuary
[ the church unfurled ]
Series Dates: 09/26/21 - 10/17/21 Download Booklet: Estuary Basics
FROM SANCTUARY TO ESTUARY
In the early Spring of 2021 a small band of disciples in Annapolis, MD began to pray and ask questions regarding what it means for the Church to join Jesus’ vision of renewal in our generation. The Holy Spirit gave us a word that describes this new volatile landscape filled with fruitful possibilities that we find ourselves in: estuary.
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. An estuary is the confluent space at the base of a river, where fresh and saltwater collide. It is one of the most dangerous places in the river but is also nutrient-rich for creature flourishing. Jesus too found himself in an estuaric first century world- a barbaric, oppressed under Roman rule with a diverse and divided social imaginary of many worldviews and perspectives on God.
We searched the Scripture to discover Jesus’ simple approach, one that he embodied (gospels), taught in Luke 10, and that was reproduced in the book of Acts- simple, organic, beautiful, clear: small bands or teams of disciples with a shared mission, being sent to seek the peace/shalom of a people or place.
Within the metaphor of an Estuary, we see these teams, like small ocean vessels, unfurling their sails, catching the wind of the Holy Spirit and being sent into the estuary to seek the peace and flourishing of the estuary by announcing the dawning and establishment of Jesus’ New Creation (Revelation 21).
This series is about the beginning of something new for our church and Lord willing, other churches in our area- a season where we believe the wind of the Spirit is going to catch our sails as we are unfurled in groups and teams into the estuary.
Will you join us?
