Two primary reasons rise to the surface when I consider the reasons for the publication of Christ Church Collective. The first: human beings are created in the image of God. The second: God has saved sinners and put them together as the body of Christ.
Our Triune God is a creative artist. If we take, even a moment, to pause and consider imaginative power it took to created the landscapes of the earth and the swirling colors of the skies, that moment could be filled with wonder and worship. The heavens, we are told, were created by his understanding (Ps. 136:5). Genesis 1:1 declares “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Yahweh truly is the Great artist.
With the beauty and intricacies of all the God has created as the backdrop, consider the magnitude of Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Nothing else in all creation was given the title “Image of God”. Not the skies, with the beauty of the Northern Lights. Nor the King of the Jungle or the mighty Clydesdale horse. Only humans, male and female, have been marked with the dignified title “Image of God.”
Therefore, a part of what it means to be human is to be creative. Clearly, we cannot create something from nothing, like God can. But, we can take raw material, or a blank page and graphite, and create. Art takes several forms even if the form is abstract. Painting, drawing, photography, writing, singing, building, and the list goes on. Since Adam and Eve, humans have been taking hold of raw material to work and keep it.
The second primary reason for this publication is that God has saved more than individuals. He saves individuals and brings them together in local places as his family, the very Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4 tells us God has given gifts to everyone in his body. The purpose of these gifts is for the distinguished purpose of edifying the body.
The pastors and leaders of Christ Church, through the publication of this quarterly magazine, aim to provide you, the Imago Dei, with opportunities to use your gift for the edification of the saints. Sadly, out of accordance with church history, many Christians have no outlet to spread their work other than outside the Body of Christ. Gifts, therefore, go ungiven to the Body of Christ because there is no outlet for them to be used.
Christ Church Collective is a quarterly publication that exists to give image bearers a tangible way to use and share their gifts for the edification of the saints and the Glory of God.