When I arrived at Browncroft nine years ago, I remember being impressed by the legacy of Bible engagement at the church. At that time, we were offering an experience called Read365, in which our volunteers wrote short reflections taking people through the Bible and emailed them out to our congregation. In many ways, it was ahead of its time. I want to take a moment to thank all of the individuals who invested in this ministry.
Since its establishment in 1922, Browncroft has always valued the authority of Scripture. The roots of the church came from a desire to interpret God’s Word correctly. Decades later, Browncroft adopted the New International Version to help people better understand the Bible. Many of our missions partners in the last 102 years were individuals devoted to translating the Bible into the languages of the people they ministered to. Most notably and recently, Corey Garrett has been translating the Bible into the Wolof language in Senegal.
Though some of our platforms and contexts have changed, our commitment to being people of God’s Word has not changed.
Why is all of this history important? Because I want you to know that you are part of the larger story of Bible engagement at Browncroft. You are carrying on a legacy of deep transformation in the gospel. Though some of our platforms and contexts have changed, our commitment to being people of God’s Word has not changed.
My friend, Dr. John Farquhar Plake, serves in the American Bible Society, specifically as a researcher with a pastor’s heart. I would highly encourage you to check out his State of the Bible 2023 Report. Broadly, his research presents three key findings about the Bible in America:
- When people engage deeply with the Bible, their lives and relationships are better. In other words, they flourish.
- Fewer people in America are engaging with the Bible. Scripture engagement is not rising yet; it continues on a downward trajectory.
- There are signs of hope. The Movable Middle has rebounded, and Bible disengagement has fallen in the past year. (The Movable Middle are individuals on the cusp of engaging the Bible on a regular basis.)
As I mentioned this past Sunday, 2024 carries implications of uncertainty and anxiety. We face political elections, artificial intelligence, the war in the Middle East, and the economy. I pray that Browncroft and the Church in America can root themselves in the Word of God. You can start to be part of this movement by regularly reading the Bible. Rather than being carried by the whims of the world, we should allow Scripture to ground us in the reality of God’s sovereignty.
Rather than being carried by the whims of the world, we should allow Scripture to ground us in the reality of God’s sovereignty.
As a church, let’s normalize discussing Scripture. Let’s talk about it when we are together. Join a YouVersion plan and invite others to come alongside you. To “eat this book” like John did in Revelation 10:8-11 is a regular daily process that affects our whole lives.
Because of the value we place on engaging in God’s Word, we desire that the whole church please fill out the 2024 Bible Commitment Card by clicking here. We ask you to do this for two reasons: First, we want to pray for you. Second, knowing where you feel God leading you to read the Bible helps us better support you.
I have a friend who says to me, “Your future is as bright as the promises of God.” Let’s reflect on those promises in a dark and chaotic world by regularly going to God’s Word.
For more Bible engagement resources, check out our Connect page below!
