For many years, the catch phrase, The Bible, The Whole Bible, and Nothing But the Bible, was used by many Grace Brethren congregations in North America. And while many churches may have moved on to more contemporary slogans, the reality remains. God’s Word is vitally important to the pastors and people of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.
In 2013-2014, each of the five Focus Retreats for ministry leaders in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) focused on the values that are important to the people of the Fellowship. As each participant wrote a letter to their “Timothy,” they were to outline what they valued most. In every retreat, the Bible was at the top of the list. (See the Timothy Letters at graceconnect.us/timothy- letters-1/)
It should go without saying that God’s Word is important in an evangelical, Anabaptist group of churches like the Grace Brethren. After all, isn’t all Scripture inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness so that we may be equipped for every good work (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17)?
It seemed only natural that we take a look at some of those themes in the pages of GraceConnect, starting with the Bible. In this issue, you’ll hear from some of the top writers in the Grace Brethren community as they tackle the topics of Bible study and sermon preparation. We asked people their favorite version of the Scriptures–for preaching, for personal study, or to recommend. Read some of their comments throughout the magazine and learn more about the results on graceconnect.us.
Over the next year, we’ll explore some of the other values that the Grace Brethren hold dear – our mission- mindedness, relationships, and grace. What we can’t fit in the magazine, we’ll post to graceconnect.us, so be sure to follow us there.
At GraceConnect we are intentional about helping you connect with others in the FGBC. It’s something we’ve been doing for 75 years. To help you, we’ve created a variety of tools, including this magazine and the GraceConnect eNews, which will encourage you to grow in your faith and to connect with others.
Check out the other platforms of GraceConnect, where you’ll see some of the same themes addressed. Subscribe to the eNews at graceconnect.us/subscribe/. “Like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/graceconnectus, where you’ll find images and prayer requests from Grace Brethren churches and ministries shared on a regular basis. Find us on Twitter at twitter.com/graceconnectus and on Instagram at instagram.com/graceconnect/.
Whatever platform you choose, you’ll find we’re still about the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible.
Liz Cutler Gates, lcgates@bmhbooks.com, is the editor of Grace Connect. Since 2010, she has served as executive director of the Brethren Missionary Herald Company. She and her husband, Doug, live in Warsaw, Ind.
This article first appeared in the Winter 2015 issue of GraceConnect. If you’d like to receive the magazine, mailed directly to your home at no charge, click here.
