When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Acts 2:1-6
The day of Pentecost is one of great excitement for the church because it is the day Jesus’ twelve apostles are filled with the Holy Spirit. And it is the day they begin to preach the gospel to all people, in their native languages. They proclaimed Christ crucified, risen and ascended into heaven—in order that people can be restored to a right relationship with God
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." Acts 2:38-39
The ‘Good News’ of Jesus Christ, the promise of the resurrection, is for everyone—and those who are, are ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ are charged to go and proclaim the Gospel, so that, all people come to believe, have their sins forgiven and are ‘filled with the Holy Spirit!’
When we are gathered, ‘all together in one place,’ at worship, we intentionally step into the presence of the living God and become ‘filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Gathered together in Christian fellowship, around God’s Word and Sacrament, we receive affirmation of our calling and receive the gifts of God’s amazing grace. We are nourished and strengthened in faith and, ‘filled with the Holy Spirit,’ we are then sent back out into the world to love as God loves—as changed people—as disciples of Jesus Christ.
To be ‘filled with the Holy Spirit,’ is transformational. God intends for it to change us—in ways that are apparent to others. When we truly encounter God—we can’t help but be changed.
But whether one actually does encounter God in worship, is up to each individual. We can be ‘filled with the Holy Spirit,’ or we can resist what God is trying to do in us.
Be open to the awe and wonder, the awesomeness, and the mystery of God truly present in Word and Sacrament, the preaching, the prayers and the music. Worship, not out of a sense of obligation, but out of eagerness for an encounter with the Divine. Expect to encounter God in worship and to be changed into a disciple of Jesus Christ. Then go out into the world and spread God’s love around—and invite others to come with you to experience the Divine in worship.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. …And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42, Acts 2:47b
Pastor Roy+
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Path to Easter is Through the Cross
During this Lenten season, we have been taking the Journey of the Stones, following Jesus to the cross. It has been a reflective, penitent journey. Each week at our Wednesday evening worship service, we were given a stone which represented the weight of our sins.
Sometimes, we can get weighed down by our sins, and be left feeling undeserving and unloved. Sometimes we can forget that Jesus bore the weight of all our sins and took them to the cross so that we could be set free from sin and death and set free to serve God and one another!
So on Wednesday evenings this Lent, at the end of each service, we were invited to lay down the weight of our sins by placing our stones at the foot of the cross. It was very moving to see so many people come forward every week and lay their stones at the foot of the ‘old rugged cross,’ trusting that Jesus would take up the weight of their sin.
The weight of sin and death! Gone!
Through Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection! Gone!
Through the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism. Gone!
Through confession and absolution! Gone!
Because of God’s great love made real for us in and through Jesus Christ and by what he did for us. Gone!
By grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Gone!
I invite you to complete the journey with us as we walk the stony path, following Jesus to the cross through Holy Week; Passion/Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter. We will follow Jesus into Jerusalem, be with him in the upper room as he washes the disciples’ feet, witness his betrayal and arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, lament as he carries his cross to Golgotha, is crucified, dies, and is buried, and we will keep watch at his tomb, waiting for what he foretold—waiting for him to rise again on the third day.
I invite you to journey with us as we follow Jesus to the cross—and beyond! Because the path to salvation, the path to being made right with God, the path to victory over sin and death—is through the cross.
There are many paths that go around the cross. But none of those paths leads to salvation, because they are not the path Jesus walked. His path led to the cross. And he called us to follow him. And so we do. All the way to the cross—through the cross—and then beyond!
There is only one path to the glory of Easter—the path that leads through the cross.
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34b
On the journey with you,
Pastor Roy+
Trusting God. Following Jesus <><
Sometimes, we can get weighed down by our sins, and be left feeling undeserving and unloved. Sometimes we can forget that Jesus bore the weight of all our sins and took them to the cross so that we could be set free from sin and death and set free to serve God and one another!
So on Wednesday evenings this Lent, at the end of each service, we were invited to lay down the weight of our sins by placing our stones at the foot of the cross. It was very moving to see so many people come forward every week and lay their stones at the foot of the ‘old rugged cross,’ trusting that Jesus would take up the weight of their sin.
The weight of sin and death! Gone!
Through Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection! Gone!
Through the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism. Gone!
Through confession and absolution! Gone!
Because of God’s great love made real for us in and through Jesus Christ and by what he did for us. Gone!
By grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Gone!
I invite you to complete the journey with us as we walk the stony path, following Jesus to the cross through Holy Week; Passion/Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter. We will follow Jesus into Jerusalem, be with him in the upper room as he washes the disciples’ feet, witness his betrayal and arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, lament as he carries his cross to Golgotha, is crucified, dies, and is buried, and we will keep watch at his tomb, waiting for what he foretold—waiting for him to rise again on the third day.
I invite you to journey with us as we follow Jesus to the cross—and beyond! Because the path to salvation, the path to being made right with God, the path to victory over sin and death—is through the cross.
There are many paths that go around the cross. But none of those paths leads to salvation, because they are not the path Jesus walked. His path led to the cross. And he called us to follow him. And so we do. All the way to the cross—through the cross—and then beyond!
There is only one path to the glory of Easter—the path that leads through the cross.
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34b
On the journey with you,
Pastor Roy+
Trusting God. Following Jesus <><
Monday, March 2, 2009
Inbetween Christmas and Easter
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." Mark 1:9-11
It’s cold and windy. Dark when I get up and dark when I come home. I’m tired of shoveling snow and slipping on ice. The thrill of Christmas is past and the bills have arrived. The winter doldrums have descended. I just want to hurry up and get to spring and Easter! Yup, going right from Christmas trees, presents, Santa and the baby Jesus, to dyed eggs, jelly beans, The Bunny and the risen Christ, would be so much easier (and more fun) that spending this time slogging through these dark cold months of January and February—this ‘in between’ time of the church calendar called ‘Epiphany.’
Sometimes I fear that because of the post-Christmas ‘let-down,’ we can treat Epiphany like that—as an ‘in between’ time of the church year that we have to go through to get from the wondrous birth of our Lord and Savior, to his glorious resurrection. My concern is that, in our winter doldrums, we just might miss the wondrous things God is saying to us, those wondrous things God wants us to know, as we read and study the scriptures during this time of Epiphany.
The season of Epiphany is so much more than the time that fills the gap between Christmas and Lent. This year the ‘bookends’ for Epiphany, as we read through the Gospel of Mark, are the Baptism of Jesus and the Transfiguration of the Lord. At both of these monumental events in the life of Jesus, ‘a voice’ comes from heaven proclaiming Jesus to be God’s Son, the Beloved.
I was taught in seminary that when a portion of the bible is ‘bracketed’ by God’s voice, one should pay particular attention to what the text within the ‘brackets’ is saying—because the message is likely to be rather significant. And in the Gospel of Mark, the text ‘between the brackets’ calls all people to come and see Jesus for themselves and to follow him. Jesus extends the invitation to come and meet him, learn from him, and follow him. And Jesus instructs his followers to ‘go and tell’ people about him, inviting them to come and see so they can meet him for themselves, learn from him, and receive his invitation to follow.
Jesus calls us to ‘fish for people’ by extending the invitation to come and meet him. To invite others is to follow Jesus. Because Jesus, ‘God’s son, the Beloved,’ wants to share the gift of salvation by grace, through faith, in Jesus Christ, with EVERYONE. And he left the inviting to us—until he returns.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Mark 9:2-7
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
It’s cold and windy. Dark when I get up and dark when I come home. I’m tired of shoveling snow and slipping on ice. The thrill of Christmas is past and the bills have arrived. The winter doldrums have descended. I just want to hurry up and get to spring and Easter! Yup, going right from Christmas trees, presents, Santa and the baby Jesus, to dyed eggs, jelly beans, The Bunny and the risen Christ, would be so much easier (and more fun) that spending this time slogging through these dark cold months of January and February—this ‘in between’ time of the church calendar called ‘Epiphany.’
Sometimes I fear that because of the post-Christmas ‘let-down,’ we can treat Epiphany like that—as an ‘in between’ time of the church year that we have to go through to get from the wondrous birth of our Lord and Savior, to his glorious resurrection. My concern is that, in our winter doldrums, we just might miss the wondrous things God is saying to us, those wondrous things God wants us to know, as we read and study the scriptures during this time of Epiphany.
The season of Epiphany is so much more than the time that fills the gap between Christmas and Lent. This year the ‘bookends’ for Epiphany, as we read through the Gospel of Mark, are the Baptism of Jesus and the Transfiguration of the Lord. At both of these monumental events in the life of Jesus, ‘a voice’ comes from heaven proclaiming Jesus to be God’s Son, the Beloved.
I was taught in seminary that when a portion of the bible is ‘bracketed’ by God’s voice, one should pay particular attention to what the text within the ‘brackets’ is saying—because the message is likely to be rather significant. And in the Gospel of Mark, the text ‘between the brackets’ calls all people to come and see Jesus for themselves and to follow him. Jesus extends the invitation to come and meet him, learn from him, and follow him. And Jesus instructs his followers to ‘go and tell’ people about him, inviting them to come and see so they can meet him for themselves, learn from him, and receive his invitation to follow.
Jesus calls us to ‘fish for people’ by extending the invitation to come and meet him. To invite others is to follow Jesus. Because Jesus, ‘God’s son, the Beloved,’ wants to share the gift of salvation by grace, through faith, in Jesus Christ, with EVERYONE. And he left the inviting to us—until he returns.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Mark 9:2-7
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
Thursday, January 8, 2009
PRAISE GOD!!! A MIRACLE of Helping Make Ministry Happen!
In December, First Lutheran found itself facing a projected $50,000 shortfall between giving and the expense of supporting the ministry and mission of the church. I wrote a note informing the people of the financial situation and asked them to prayerfully consider giving generously to reduce (or even erase) the projected shortfall. I shared my belief that giving is an act of worship and praise to our generous and loving God; that we give out of joy and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received from God, trusting that God does and will provide for our daily needs, and; that we give in order to continue the work of ministry and mission in the world that Jesus has entrusted to us.
And I shared what our Bishop, Gary Wollersheim recently wrote about where we put our trust in the midst of an ‘economic crisis;’ “As Christians, we put our trust in God. We believe that God does and will provide for our daily needs. We recognize that compared to most of the world, even in an economic crisis, we are wealthy. And we are reminded of the words of Scripture: “to whom much is given, much shall be required”, so we respond to God’s graciousness with continued generosity.”
And then I prayed and waited to see what God would do.
And what happened is a miracle! It brought tears of joy to my eyes to see how God worked through his people to significantly reduce (and nearly erase) the projected shortfall before the end of the year! By their actions thepeople of First Lutheran have shown that they truly trust in God, even in these difficult economic times. They responded to God’s graciousness with generosity, and helped make ministry happen.
All praise and thanks to God for these wonderful, generous people!
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
And I shared what our Bishop, Gary Wollersheim recently wrote about where we put our trust in the midst of an ‘economic crisis;’ “As Christians, we put our trust in God. We believe that God does and will provide for our daily needs. We recognize that compared to most of the world, even in an economic crisis, we are wealthy. And we are reminded of the words of Scripture: “to whom much is given, much shall be required”, so we respond to God’s graciousness with continued generosity.”
And then I prayed and waited to see what God would do.
And what happened is a miracle! It brought tears of joy to my eyes to see how God worked through his people to significantly reduce (and nearly erase) the projected shortfall before the end of the year! By their actions thepeople of First Lutheran have shown that they truly trust in God, even in these difficult economic times. They responded to God’s graciousness with generosity, and helped make ministry happen.
All praise and thanks to God for these wonderful, generous people!
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
Thursday, November 20, 2008
It All Starts with the Incarnation
We have been celebrating our 150th year of ministry and mission for the past year, and it is very exciting that this month we celebrate the congregation’s actual birthday on December 25th.
I’m sure that it was no mere coincidence that our Swedish immigrant founders chose this particular day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to begin worshipping as a new faith community. Perhaps they chose the day of the incarnation because they wanted to impress on the worshipping assembly that the church is to be ‘incarnational’—all about being the body of Christ in here and now, all about being Jesus’ hands and feet in carrying on his mission and ministry in the world, all about being ‘little Christs,’ ambassadors of God, light in the darkness, bearers of the Good News of salvation by grace, through faith, in Jesus Christ—everyday, everywhere, and with everyone.
And as we look toward the birth of our Lord and Savior on Christmas Day, and the anniversary of the founding of this worshipping community, I also invite you to look forward to the re-birth and renewal of our congregation. As Lutherans, we are to be all about ‘new life’ in and through Jesus Christ—not just for individuals, but also for the entire congregation and the whole church. We are to be continuously reforming and renewing the church, always asking ourselves, ‘How does what we are doing and the way we are doing it help us live out the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ?’
Through the incarnation, God came down to us in and though the person of Jesus Christ. And Jesus left us with his mission to serve God and others in his name, baptizing, preaching and teaching the Gospel –not for our own benefit, but in order to help grow the kingdom of God in the here and now—and in the world to come. I call the church ‘incarnational’ because it is, in a way, a continuation of the incarnation—God’s choosing to work in the world through human beings.
The incarnation changed everything. The relationship between God and people will never be the same as it was before. A Savior is born. All of humanity can be restored to a right relationship with God, in and through Jesus Christ. And the ‘incarnational’ church continues to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit that changes it and it's role in the world. Walking humbly, loving mercy and doing justice in his name. Not resting on our laurels, but looking ahead to the next new thing God has planned for us to do in his name—even if the new thing may not look so much like the old thing. And it all starts with the incarnation.
Trusting God. Following Jesus <><
Pastor Roy+
I’m sure that it was no mere coincidence that our Swedish immigrant founders chose this particular day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to begin worshipping as a new faith community. Perhaps they chose the day of the incarnation because they wanted to impress on the worshipping assembly that the church is to be ‘incarnational’—all about being the body of Christ in here and now, all about being Jesus’ hands and feet in carrying on his mission and ministry in the world, all about being ‘little Christs,’ ambassadors of God, light in the darkness, bearers of the Good News of salvation by grace, through faith, in Jesus Christ—everyday, everywhere, and with everyone.
And as we look toward the birth of our Lord and Savior on Christmas Day, and the anniversary of the founding of this worshipping community, I also invite you to look forward to the re-birth and renewal of our congregation. As Lutherans, we are to be all about ‘new life’ in and through Jesus Christ—not just for individuals, but also for the entire congregation and the whole church. We are to be continuously reforming and renewing the church, always asking ourselves, ‘How does what we are doing and the way we are doing it help us live out the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ?’
Through the incarnation, God came down to us in and though the person of Jesus Christ. And Jesus left us with his mission to serve God and others in his name, baptizing, preaching and teaching the Gospel –not for our own benefit, but in order to help grow the kingdom of God in the here and now—and in the world to come. I call the church ‘incarnational’ because it is, in a way, a continuation of the incarnation—God’s choosing to work in the world through human beings.
The incarnation changed everything. The relationship between God and people will never be the same as it was before. A Savior is born. All of humanity can be restored to a right relationship with God, in and through Jesus Christ. And the ‘incarnational’ church continues to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit that changes it and it's role in the world. Walking humbly, loving mercy and doing justice in his name. Not resting on our laurels, but looking ahead to the next new thing God has planned for us to do in his name—even if the new thing may not look so much like the old thing. And it all starts with the incarnation.
Trusting God. Following Jesus <><
Pastor Roy+
Friday, October 31, 2008
Trusting God in Troubling Economic Times
There's no denying that we are living in troubling economic times—and it doesn’t help ease our minds that day in, and day out, we receive news reports about the economic ‘crisis’ ('financial meltdown) and our government’s extreme measures undertaken to help fix it. It’s scary. And when we are scared, we tend to hang on to our money tighter.
But, many of us have lived through troubling economic times before—and we know that our economy does recover. And I know it’s because of the spirit, the resourcefulness, the hard work, and the character of the American people. So I remain hopeful because, having been through it before, these things always seem to work out over time—and we’re still standing when the dust clears.
It seems to me that how scared we get in the midst of an ‘economic crisis’ has a whole lot to do with where we put our trust. As Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the Northern Illinois Synod, ELCA, recently wrote, “where are we going to put our trust? Should we put our trust in the stock market? Should we put our trust in our elected officials? Should we put our trust in an economic system? No, as Christians, we put our trust in God. We believe that God does and will provide for our daily needs. We recognize that compared to most of the world, even in an economic crisis, we are wealthy. And we are reminded of the words of Scripture: “to whom much is given, much shall be required”, so we respond to God’s graciousness with continued generosity.”
When we get scared, it can be difficult to remember that Jesus is with us in the most difficult places—saying, ‘do not be afraid, for I am with you.’ In these times when economic fear runs rampant, it is our faith, grounded in our relationship with God and with God’s people, that frees us from fear and frees us to live lives of generosity in service to God and others.
When we get scared it can be difficult to remember that we give generously out of joy and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received from God; that we give as an act of worship and praise to our generous and loving God; that we give to continue the work of ministry in the world that Jesus has entrusted to us, and; that we give to help make ministry happen.
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
But, many of us have lived through troubling economic times before—and we know that our economy does recover. And I know it’s because of the spirit, the resourcefulness, the hard work, and the character of the American people. So I remain hopeful because, having been through it before, these things always seem to work out over time—and we’re still standing when the dust clears.
It seems to me that how scared we get in the midst of an ‘economic crisis’ has a whole lot to do with where we put our trust. As Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the Northern Illinois Synod, ELCA, recently wrote, “where are we going to put our trust? Should we put our trust in the stock market? Should we put our trust in our elected officials? Should we put our trust in an economic system? No, as Christians, we put our trust in God. We believe that God does and will provide for our daily needs. We recognize that compared to most of the world, even in an economic crisis, we are wealthy. And we are reminded of the words of Scripture: “to whom much is given, much shall be required”, so we respond to God’s graciousness with continued generosity.”
When we get scared, it can be difficult to remember that Jesus is with us in the most difficult places—saying, ‘do not be afraid, for I am with you.’ In these times when economic fear runs rampant, it is our faith, grounded in our relationship with God and with God’s people, that frees us from fear and frees us to live lives of generosity in service to God and others.
When we get scared it can be difficult to remember that we give generously out of joy and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received from God; that we give as an act of worship and praise to our generous and loving God; that we give to continue the work of ministry in the world that Jesus has entrusted to us, and; that we give to help make ministry happen.
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Ministry of Reconciliation
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 1Cor 15:17-20
So what is the ministry of reconciliation? What is the message of reconciliation God has entrusted to us? What is the appeal God is making through us?
It’s about Love. God’s immeasurable love for us—made real for us in Christ’s death on the cross—for no other purpose than for us to be reconciled to God and given a fresh start.
It’s about Love. The love we, as people reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ, ought to have for one another so that, having been given a fresh start, we can function in unity as members of the Body of Christ—for no other purpose than to live out God's mission in the world—the mission of loving others as Christ has loved us, by showing them love and by telling them about the great love God has shown for them in and through Jesus Christ.
Because we have been reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ, God has entrusted us, the Body of Christ, with the ministry of proclaiming, in word and deed, to all people, the Good News of reconciliation to God and to one another. But, in order to effectively live out this ministry, we must first be reconciled to one another within the Body of Christ so we fully appreciate one another’s gifts and work together as ambassadors of Christ despite our disagreements.
Our focus when we disagree about how to best live out our mission must be on Christ as the head of the body of which we are members. Each one of us being gifted differently for life together, as we build up the Body of Christ, by sharing the Good News of reconciliation to God in and through faith in Jesus Christ. It is only by God’s love that we are reconciled to God and become members of the Body of Christ. We can surely trust that God’s love will hold us, the church, together in the midst of our differences and disagreements, so that we can serve faithfully to build up the Body of Christ in the world.
The key question to ask when we are in conflict is: What effect does the way we are discussing/disagreeing and resolving our differences (or not) have on the Body of Christ and our ability to live out the mission entrusted to us?
My hope and prayer is that the people will be reconciled within the body and with God so that the work of ministry can be done and the church can grow in ministry and mission. As I have written before, it's about relationship (with God and with others within the body). Now if we could just forgive others as God, in and through Christ, has forgiven us ...
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
So what is the ministry of reconciliation? What is the message of reconciliation God has entrusted to us? What is the appeal God is making through us?
It’s about Love. God’s immeasurable love for us—made real for us in Christ’s death on the cross—for no other purpose than for us to be reconciled to God and given a fresh start.
It’s about Love. The love we, as people reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ, ought to have for one another so that, having been given a fresh start, we can function in unity as members of the Body of Christ—for no other purpose than to live out God's mission in the world—the mission of loving others as Christ has loved us, by showing them love and by telling them about the great love God has shown for them in and through Jesus Christ.
Because we have been reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ, God has entrusted us, the Body of Christ, with the ministry of proclaiming, in word and deed, to all people, the Good News of reconciliation to God and to one another. But, in order to effectively live out this ministry, we must first be reconciled to one another within the Body of Christ so we fully appreciate one another’s gifts and work together as ambassadors of Christ despite our disagreements.
Our focus when we disagree about how to best live out our mission must be on Christ as the head of the body of which we are members. Each one of us being gifted differently for life together, as we build up the Body of Christ, by sharing the Good News of reconciliation to God in and through faith in Jesus Christ. It is only by God’s love that we are reconciled to God and become members of the Body of Christ. We can surely trust that God’s love will hold us, the church, together in the midst of our differences and disagreements, so that we can serve faithfully to build up the Body of Christ in the world.
The key question to ask when we are in conflict is: What effect does the way we are discussing/disagreeing and resolving our differences (or not) have on the Body of Christ and our ability to live out the mission entrusted to us?
My hope and prayer is that the people will be reconciled within the body and with God so that the work of ministry can be done and the church can grow in ministry and mission. As I have written before, it's about relationship (with God and with others within the body). Now if we could just forgive others as God, in and through Christ, has forgiven us ...
Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><
Pastor Roy+
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