Did you hear about the invention of the wheel? They say it started a revolution. I’ve heard it said that the church is
like a wheel. Every analogy has its limits, but let’s see how this works for us.

The wheel is the church, everyone who participates. God wants everyone to be included, none to be excluded. The church is where “the rubber meets the road,” so to speak. That’s a phrase defined as (thefreedictionary.com) “The point at which someone’s or something’s
efforts, resolve, or viability are put to the test; the point at which things
become truly or meaningfully challenging.” Or, “Where the practical
reality or crucial test is.”

The hub is the driving force of the wheel. Attached to the axle and
powered by the engine the hub causes the properly attached wheel to
move. For the wheel of the church, the hub should be Jesus. We
should be, as our mission statement claims, “A Christ-Centered Community.”

The spokes connect the wheel to the hub. A good connection ensures
proper mobility. I suggest four spokes to our wheel. First is Prayer and
Worship, our communication to God. Second is God’s Word, our communication from God. Third is Fellowship, which is our relationship with each other. The fourth spoke is Outreach,
our relationship to those outside the church. All need to be strongly connected between us and Jesus.

Let’s push the analogy a little further. The vehicle is the “Kingdom of God” on earth. The churches are the wheels
that move it forward. Are we making progress? How do you move a vehicle that has no wheels? With great difficulty.

The wheel known as the church needs to be connected to Jesus. Then the church will have good performance and we
will truly experience what it means for “the rubber to meet the road.”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he
will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

Pastor Steve