In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he speaks words that should be the backbone of any homiletic construction. He says, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid." In this one statement, Jesus affirms the people and challenges them to shine their light. Many church communities have lost the simplicity of this message and have turned to complex organizational models to remain marketable in our consumer society. Church membership has dwindled as the remaining remnant attempts to transform into something new for the sake of survival. Set in the context of the historic Rocky River Presbyterian Church in Concord, North Carolina, this thesis will show how the affirmation and the challenge for personal transformation through Jesus Christ and sharing the good news can continually re-form a community of faith.
