The Southern California Conference (SCC) vision statement declares: “We envision spiritually thriving churches and schools with flourishing faith, caring for their communities and inspiring individuals to grow in and share Christ’s love.”

When I think about the words “flourishing faith,” two things come to mind. “Faith” can be both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it describes something unseen—abstract, intangible, and deeply spiritual. As a verb, it is active— lived out in choices, actions, and expressions of trust in God. Flourishing faith brings two realities together: unseen conviction producing visible fruit.

The word “flourishing” speaks of vitality, growth, and abundance: something alive, thriving, and fruitful. Scripture paints this picture clearly—we can visualize the concept of a faith that is active and dynamic but whose results can be measured, witnessed, and authenticated, and yet, it is a power that is unseen, intangible, abstract, and abstruse.

When I envision flourishing faith, I don’t have to look any further than the book of Jeremiah, where the prophet of old writes, “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7–8, BSB). What an amazing analogy of flourishing faith: a faith that does not fear, never worries, always produces fruit, and whose leaves are always green.

This kind of faith is never self-centered; it is not merely for personal edification— it serves a greater purpose in God’s kingdom. Paul reminds us that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10, BSB). Flourishing faith always points beyond ourselves, glorifying God and blessing others.

At SCC, we are committed to our mission of exalting Christ by cultivating healthy churches and schools. That means ensuring our churches and schools are places where faith can truly flourish— alive in Christ, rooted in His Word, and bearing fruit for His kingdom.