By Ron Lutz

“The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” This has been one of our church’s slogans for years. I know that some people think I am talking about the “Maine Thing,” especially this time of year when our family goes to Peaks Island, Maine :). But, as much as I love the ocean, lobster and blueberry pancakes, the real “Main Thing” is the gospel!!

“Keeping the main thing the main thing” means that we are committed to keeping the gospel at the heart of everything we are and do. It is the message of Christ’s death and resurrection, the message of “first importance” according to 1 Corinthians 15:3. We want this reality to be at the heart of who we are, how we do life, what motivates us, inspires us, and encourages us. The apostle Paul put it this way as he talked about his ministry: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Now, Paul was not a “one note” teacher/preacher. He talked about all kinds of issues as he worked with churches. But he connected every issue—doctrinal or pastoral—to what Jesus did for us on the cross. That’s what keeps our message grounded in faith and real life, practical, powerful, and filled with hope.

Jerry Bridges says, “The gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message in all of history.” The Lord has been good to us as a church for many years as we have labored to be a “gospel-centered” church. May the Lord give us grace to keep his wonderful, humbling, amazing, and life-changing gospel at the center of our individual and corporate lives. Our prayer is that this blog will encourage you along those lines as we share ministry updates, pastoral reflections, and personal testimonies. We want help each other see more of Jesus—and to love, serve and obey him with gospel joy!