Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed

by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern

what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

“All Souls Church is a counter formational community

devoted to following Jesus together in real life.” 

- All Souls Church Mission Statement

The Mission of our church is to be a “counter formational” community. What do we mean by that?

First, understand that you are being formed all the time. Life experiences, family of origin, education, our ethnic culture, successes and failures, entertainment and news, country of origin and time in history are all things that form who we are as individuals and as a church. For good or bad we are being formed all the time.

The Gospel is news about Jesus that informs and transforms people who have been conformed to this world. In the above verse found in Romans, the Apostle had just given 11 chapters of Gospel good news: forgiveness, atonement, justification, sanctification, and hope. Now he takes 5 chapters to explain how that Gospel forms us.

Our church is in the counter formation business. By the truth and power of the Gospel and a loving community to hold your story, we are counter formed. Every sermon is counter formation by the Word of God. Every Lord’s Supper is counter forming you in grace. Every catechism is helping you frame a Christ-centered world view to counter form the way you view the world. Every handshake, hug and pat on the back is counter forming you with the presence of real forgiven humans in a loving community.

The goal then of discipleship and membership in the church is to tune you in to the will and love of God so that you may know “What is good and acceptable and perfect.” This “knowing” is not just in the mind, but is an experiential mystic knowing that counter forms us as whole beings, body and soul.

Spend 5 minutes in prayer asking Jesus to counter form you at All Souls to become the most humane, gracious, kind, and strong version of yourself. Pray that God would use you to positively “counter form” others.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Harvey