Forward in Faith | Fall 2024
Earlier this year, a cohort of pastors from several large area churches (Perimeter Church, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Fellowship Bible Church, and First Baptist Church Woodstock) expressed a goal to lead their congregations well through this year’s election cycle.
Having experienced political discord in both the culture and in the Church during the 2020 presidential election, they shared a desire to set a better path forward for their congregations.
The cohort, led by Dr. Crawford Loritts, was inspired to come together for a collaborative teaching series anchored in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5.
“The Sermon on the Mount is always relevant,” said Pastor Jason Cook of Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell. “But in this season, the sermon and the actions of our churches will reveal if we truly and earnestly believe that Jesus is Lord.”
The series, called “Citizen,” reminded Christians who we are as citizens of God’s kingdom, and how Christ expects us to engage with culture as citizens of our earthly kingdom.
“It’s deeply meaningful anytime churches come together across denominational lines and point to the greatness and sufficiency of Christ and His kingdom” said Senior Pastor Jeff Norris.
Pastor Clay Smith of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta stated, “This joint sermon series is a visible demonstration of the unity that we share as local churches across Atlanta. A divided world needs a united church.”
The series began on October 13 and continued through November 3 before Election Day, as each pastor taught from the scripture and theme each Sunday.
“I hope the outcome of our collaboration is that our congregations each choose to seek first the kingdom of God, above all,” said Pastor Jeremy Morton of First Baptist Woodstock. “We are not building a Republican world or a Democratic world. We, in the church, are most concerned with seeking the kingdom of God first by loving our neighbor and sharing the name of Christ.”
