Short post today because it’s already noon and I’m seriously pressed for time.

This morning I headed to the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce to do a “community profile” story on one of their VP’s. We had a great conversation that ended up being as much about personal faith as it was about the chamber. And then I realized that the faith communities we’re associated with need to fill somewhat of a “Chamber of Commerce for the Kingdom of God” role in the way that we interface with the world around us.

What a good chamber does is to be an emissary and a cheerleader for the community, and to do that in such a way that:

• It’s members are equipped to live out their mission effectively and with passion…
• The community is properly represented…
• Visitors to the community will be inspired to live here.

So here’s my brief thought for today. What does my faith community – and by extension the way I live my life – tell the world about the Kingdom of God? Do we portray the Kingdom as a place of hope, promise, love and grace? Or do we present a message that is exclusionary, negative, holier-than-thou and condemning?

When I spoke to the United Methodist Men this weekend I pointed out that for every law in the Bible there are literally scores of promises – 8,000 by one count.

My faith is defined by promise. We gather together to thank God for the foundation of hope we have in Jesus. We celebrate everything God has done and continues to do to make us whole. It’s not just a church, it’s the local Chamber of Promise.

Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of – John 10-10

Peace – DEREK