Weekly Update
WWJD?
Anybody remember the big “What Would Jesus Do?” campaign of the 90s and early 2000s? Personally, I had around a dozen “WWJD?” Bracelets. The idea was simple: When you are facing a situation and you are wondering how you should behave, just ask the question, “What would Jesus do in this situation if He were me?”
That’s a really good question for us, as Christians in our culture in 2026. What would Jesus do with his money? What would Jesus do in the face of temptation? What would Jesus do when He is worried?
What is Jesus’ posture towards those who are looked down on, feared by others, or outcast? We know His posture because we can read all about it in John 4 (Samaritan woman at the well), Mark 1:40-42/Matthew 8:1-4 (the healing of the man with leprosy), Matthew 15:21-28 (The Canaanite Woman), Luke 8:43-48 (The woman with the bleeding disorder), John 8:2-11 (The woman caught in the act of adultery), and many more.
Lately, I have found myself returning to the story of Deitrich Bonhoeffer. If you’re not familiar, research his story or read one of his books. The Cost of Discipleship is an all-time classic.
Bonhoeffer was a German pastor in the 1930s and 40s, during the peak of Nazi power. He founded the Confessing Church, a church and training school that sought to train disciples to practice faithfulness to Jesus rather than compromise to power and empire.
There’s a story about a friend of Bonhoeffer’s who visited him at the training school. He was concerned that maybe Bonhoeffer had taken this anti-Nazi fight too far. One afternoon, Bonhoeffer took his friend rowing on the river that bordered the Confessing Church Training School. They came to a place in the river where, in the distance, they could see an airfield where Hitler was training his troops. Fighter jets were flying all around. Bonhoeffer points to the airfield and says, “They are preparing for harshness and hatred.” Then, he points back to his little training school and says, “We are preparing for discipleship to Jesus that fights against their hatred, at all costs.” Then he said, “OUR discipleship to Jesus has to be stronger than THEIR discipleship to hatred.”
I pray that our discipleship to Jesus produces actions in line with the heart of Jesus, that are stronger than those who are discipled by the world. What would Jesus do?
A few things coming up:
Pastor Brian
Anybody remember the big “What Would Jesus Do?” campaign of the 90s and early 2000s? Personally, I had around a dozen “WWJD?” Bracelets. The idea was simple: When you are facing a situation and you are wondering how you should behave, just ask the question, “What would Jesus do in this situation if He were me?”
That’s a really good question for us, as Christians in our culture in 2026. What would Jesus do with his money? What would Jesus do in the face of temptation? What would Jesus do when He is worried?
What is Jesus’ posture towards those who are looked down on, feared by others, or outcast? We know His posture because we can read all about it in John 4 (Samaritan woman at the well), Mark 1:40-42/Matthew 8:1-4 (the healing of the man with leprosy), Matthew 15:21-28 (The Canaanite Woman), Luke 8:43-48 (The woman with the bleeding disorder), John 8:2-11 (The woman caught in the act of adultery), and many more.
Lately, I have found myself returning to the story of Deitrich Bonhoeffer. If you’re not familiar, research his story or read one of his books. The Cost of Discipleship is an all-time classic.
Bonhoeffer was a German pastor in the 1930s and 40s, during the peak of Nazi power. He founded the Confessing Church, a church and training school that sought to train disciples to practice faithfulness to Jesus rather than compromise to power and empire.
There’s a story about a friend of Bonhoeffer’s who visited him at the training school. He was concerned that maybe Bonhoeffer had taken this anti-Nazi fight too far. One afternoon, Bonhoeffer took his friend rowing on the river that bordered the Confessing Church Training School. They came to a place in the river where, in the distance, they could see an airfield where Hitler was training his troops. Fighter jets were flying all around. Bonhoeffer points to the airfield and says, “They are preparing for harshness and hatred.” Then, he points back to his little training school and says, “We are preparing for discipleship to Jesus that fights against their hatred, at all costs.” Then he said, “OUR discipleship to Jesus has to be stronger than THEIR discipleship to hatred.”
I pray that our discipleship to Jesus produces actions in line with the heart of Jesus, that are stronger than those who are discipled by the world. What would Jesus do?
A few things coming up:
- VISION NIGHT. This Sunday, February 1st. 5:30-7:30. You won’t want to miss it! This is the only night all year that we’ll all meet together for a night like this. My hope is that all of you can be there.
- Relational Evangelism Training Day. February 21st. 1-4pm. A day of learning, encouragement, and practical tools to help you share your faith with confidence and compassion. It’s free! Register today!
- February Preaching Swap. Again this year, GCN is a part of a 4-way preaching swap. I love this opportunity to see how God is working in other churches, and to remember that the church is much bigger than 8921 Warfield Road. You’ll love Pastors Brian, Shane, and Eric. Here’s the schedule:
- Feb. 8th - Shane Valenstein, City on a Hill Community Church
- Feb. 15th - Brian Remsch, Restoration Church
- Feb. 22nd – Eric Valenstein, Impact Church
- Ash Wednesday at GCN. Wednesday, February 18th. 7:00pm.
- Office Administrative Update. Following her maternity leave, Paola Gnatiko will transition to GCN FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR, beginning February 2nd. Jenny Schafer has transitioned to GCN OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR. This means, if you have any general office administrative questions or needs, you can direct those to Jenny at Jenny.Schafer@gburgnaz.org (or officeadmin@gburnaz.org) . If you have any Finance questions or Requistions, you can direct those to Paola Gnatiko at PGnatiko@gburgnaz.org (or GCNFinance@gburgnaz.org). Thankful for our excellent office staff!
Pastor Brian
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