I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who serve in any capacity within the congregation it is so much appreciated. I will endeavor to write a pastor’s message as I am able through the summer months but recognize some weeks, I will be unable. So, I thought I would cover a topic now that has been on my mind for some time. One I believe, that is comprehensive in it’s nature by content and design, especially considering all that we have been through and the times in which we live. One you will not be able to simply read through, it will require much time to study, ponder and consider. It is a message that I hope provokes discussion within our congregation and ultimately loving action.
Let’s be frank, our society, our families, our congregation have all suffered through a pandemic that has left many weary, guarded, perhaps in ways even divided by the weight and debate over pandemic responses. The pandemic’s long-term impact on us individually and on individual congregations may be felt for years to come. Many congregations and even churches are asking how do we move forward?
I will preface how I would answer with an incredible psalm to consider: "What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?" (Psalms 8:4, NRSV). God is mindful of us, what an incredible thing to meditate on. Unlike all other creatures, God created man in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). He gave man the ability to have a relationship with Him. But why? What has His ultimate goal always been? We know, but let’s be reminded of the fact that God invites us into a father-child relationship with Himself and gives us His Spirit so we can become His children: "But you received the Spirit of sonship . . ." (Romans 8:15, NIV). By this Spirit "we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:15-17, KJV). Jesus Himself is called "the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29).
Do we spend as much time considering this concept of being members of God’s own family as we should? What about our relationships with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ? How do those relationships play into this ultimate goal of our Father? Are our relationships within the church all they could or should be? Given all we’ve been through the last two plus years are they all they could or should be? Is there more I should do now with respect to those relationships given an understanding of God’s purpose and desire for a family? The apostle John says of Jesus: “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:10-12). The phrase “children of God” tells us that God is creating His own family from us – imperfect and flawed creatures. Jesus tells us to follow the ways of God "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:45). The apostle Paul referred to God the Father as "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named" (Ephesians 3:14-15).
To accomplish His purpose in preparing us to be a part of His family in this age, Christ told Peter “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Because we are all human to expect “the church” or any member of the congregation to be perfect is an unrealistic expectation. God knew this and He determined positions and responsibilities within the church that are clearly laid out in Ephesians 4:11-16 for a purpose. “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (13) However, I would like us to all carefully consider the vision statement of the United Church of God on a personal and very intimate level. Not what can someone else do, but what can I do. Am I personally fulfilling the vision of the church? Is there more I should be doing?
The vision statement of the United Church of God is “a Church led by God’s Holy Spirit, joined and knit together by what every member supplies, with all doing their share and growing in love to fulfill God’s great purpose for humanity to bring many children to glory (Ephesians 4:16; Hebrews 2:10).” How committed are we to this vision on a personal level? It is the answer to how we move forward! Consider our congregation and our individual role and level of participation within that congregation. This is a personal question I would like each to ask only of themselves, none other. Am I committed to this congregation and doing whatever I am able to do, for the benefit of the entire congregation? I would like us all to take the time to please carefully consider this as none of us are perfect as yet; we error, but we are family – God’s family. Think of our congregation from the perspective of “what can I contribute on a personal level to fulfill the vision of the United Church of God” here in this congregation? What can I do personally to help us move forward as a congregation?
It should be the common goal of all of us to encourage and inspire those who fellowship with us to fully respond to the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ and to demonstrate that gospel message in our care and love for and to our God, and our fellow brethren. (Matthew 22:35-40; Mark 12:28-34). Considering what is in the best interest of the collective body of Christ is challenging to say the least. Something we must learn over time through much adversity.
When questioned on what the greatest commandment was. Jesus said unto him who questioned and by extension to all of us. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 26:36-40) Everything hangs or revolves around that.
At times we hear sermons on love and inevitably John 13:35 is quoted: “By this will all men know that you are my disciples if you love one another”. So, for just a moment as we consider our congregation and our personal participation within it; and our commitment to it, let’s summarize what love is and is not:
Love is:
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In no way do I consider this a perfect listing, nor that I have mastered this myself. I offer this as a starting point as we consider our congregation and the vision of the United Church of God and what we have all collectively gone through and the effects it has had.
We all have gifts and varying talents and whatever gift or talent I have, if I have not love I am nothing, it profits me nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) What a powerful concept to truly consider and meditate on. Again, my purpose is to encourage thought and discussion on how we can truly grow as a congregation (as a truly committed family).
In all of our congregational or other activities we desire to be guided by biblically based principles, “thy word is truth” John 17:17. Therefore, I submit the following imperfect and incomplete guiding principles on that basis to provoke thought and discussion (and hopefully love and good works Hebrews 10:24). God’s word has much to say on each of these principles. Take the time over the summer, even beyond to study each one on its own and how the collectively fit together to accomplish God’s purpose.
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