Okay, so I'm behind already. It's not that I'm not committed to keep writing, but it seems that the busyness of life keeps getting in the way. Today I'm writing from Tipton, Indiana where I am attending the last session of the Academy for Church Growth. It has been a 2 and a half year process of learning how to help churches grow. Many of the things we have accomplished over these past couple of years have been because of what I have learned from these sessions. I find it timely (God's Timing) that our last session happens at the same time as our Caleb Team's Final Report. God is good!
On this beautiful morning drive to Tipton today I was struck by many things. (not physically, I made it without incident.) I turned off the radio and just let the silence surround me and my thoughts. I was taken in by the beauty of the sunrise. How amazing God is to paint such a picture that in a moment is erased and the canvas is prepared for yet another masterpiece. I was struck by the busyness of the road so early in the morning, people scurrying about not paying attention to others on the road, hurrying to something. I was struck by my own thoughts and hopes and dreams, thinking about the future of our church, the possibilities of growth, the witness of new friends coming to Christ, the excitement of new faces, new families, new life.
I was also struck by the continued selfishness that keeps presenting itself in some of our own church family. It's disheartening sometimes to look forward to the vision and be stuck in tradition (and I'm not talking about the way we worship, but the habits we keep that have nothing to do with faith or ministry.). It's hard to keep looking up when there are others trying to pull you down. It's hard to push forward a church's ministry when faith seems to be on "pause."
James wrote to the church about this very thing...
"Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it?...Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?" (James 2:14, 17, The Message)
He goes on to say simply that faith and action go hand in glove, one cannot do without the other. "Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse." (James 2:26, The Message)
There's a new movie out on DVD. I've not seen it yet, but plan to sometime this summer. It's called the Corpse Bride. It's an animated film where Victor is taken (alive) to the underworld to marry a corpse bride, while his "live" bride awaits him in the world of the living. It looks to be an interesting love story, but I can't help but think of the commonalities between its title and the James passage. The church with faith and no action is like the corpse bride of Christ. It does him no good.
The church is to be all about action (and by this I don't mean dinners and social events), faith in action, discipleship in action, evangelism in action. A church that isn't growing is dying. A church without action is already a corpse. A Christian without action is what Jesus called a whitewashed tomb, clean and beautiful on the outside, but death and decay on the inside.
I like action films, action novels, action figures, action sports, faith in action, a church moving and changing, and working toward God-sized goals. That's who I am as a Christian and that's how God is using me as a pastor. I'm into action, adventure. So is God. It's what the church is all about.
Jesus said, "Go, and do!"
It's time for us to go and do!
Peace ><>
pc
PS:What a marvelous time we had this past weekend with our Celebration Sunday. A nice crowd, a great celebration and a wonderful lunch was provided for us. A great day that honored not only God, but that honored those who had envisioned the ministry of COFS so long ago. Every day we honor them as we continue in ministry with the same passion they had.
3 comments:
It is good to hear that you made it to Tipton without being "physically struck"! I am also glad to hear that you had a nice time of reflection and renewal on that drive.
I look forward to your return and sharing with all of us the things we need to do to step out in faith and reach others for Christ.
I had an amazing witness shared with me, by someone who knows and values our church,but not a frequent attender. The facts of 24,000 people within five miles and a total community congregation of only 1000 led to this comment.
"What's wrong with these people (non church attenders), why don't they get it? They need to be in church !"
Yes they do and it is about time for us to go invite them to church and stop the petty complaining within our church family. We have important work to do.
Nero fiddled while Rome burned, let's not make that mistake!!!
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
25 years ago I was a high school senior on the verge of graduation. Little did I know that I would be part of a vision of just a few people 25years ago to step out on their faith..their trust in God and begin our church. They took a leap of faith..they trusted in what God was calling them to do..they acted in faith and laid the foundation for our wonderful church. I am blessed and my family is blessed because of their vision, because of their faith and trust in God..we are blessed to part of COFS...I love this church and this church family with all my heart. God Bless Pastor Dick..for his vision and I feel so blessed to continue in the vision of COFS..to be a part of what lies ahead. I look forward to what God is calling our church to do. I look forward to the mission of our church. Thank you to those who stepped out in faith..25 years later your vision is still growing.
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