Zion is a congregation, primarily of members. Our memebership is not large. Like most mainline churches, it is declining. We are worried about this trend. If membership declines too far we will not be able to survive as an institution.
We are part of an institution. As such, we have established operating principles of governance and practice that have evolved into something less than 'church'. What I mean by that is that the church is called to make disciples of Jesus Christ, not congregation members. There is a significant difference that ought to be identified.
However, most of the people we serve identify with congregation, rather than with Jesus. Their primary faith relationship is the congregation, not the crucified and risen Lord in whose grace we live. They are attached to this or that congregation as supporters/donors/ volunteers. But they are not Jesus' disciples.
Membership means that we pay the bills, that we hire staff to do ministry, that we live to ourselves, that we maintain the building, that mission work is something others do far away from us, to whom we may send some money. Members serve on committees and councils in order to allocate funds to perpetuate membership and maintenance. Membership has few if any expectations attached to it. These expectations are low, because people won't join if the expectations are too high. Members must commune and contribute once every two years! Most social clubs and sports teams have higher expectations today. Why have we relinquished the mission to make disciples?
Discipleship means that we are in the center of a mission field to which each of us is called as a servant and minister. We give in grateful response to what God has given us. In fact, expectations are high because the mission is both urgent and important. How we practice what we believe, how we live out our relationship with Jesus as disciples is critical to the mission. We are called to be faithful; to live a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called. That means we are called to worship every week, to daily bible reading and prayer, to generous giving, to service in neighborhood and community, to advocate for a just and peaceful world, and to a ministry of reconciliation and forgiveness that welcomes all people.
How do members become disciples? We start by asking the question, "Who is Jesus for me, for us, for the world?" We explore the life of Jesus. We pray. Disciples are made. There is work involved; proclamation, prayer, invitation, encouragement. It is transformative work that will not let you go until your life is changed by the spirit of Jesus and the gospel of grace. When that happens a disciple is born.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
What if...
What if's...is there a point to them? Rather than dismiss them, I believe that Christians are called to imagine them with boldness, with the "mind of Christ". Ought we not to imagine God's future and find ways to approach it in our own time?
What if this were a time in which God were about to do a new thing among us here? What if this were a time in which the Spirit of Jesus would become more evident within us? What if this were a time when we are called upon to live out our hope for a more just world, a world governed by something like the reign of God?
What if the biblical narrative, the story of what God does for people through Jesus, becomes our story? What if we embrace the truth that we are indeed rescued and freed from the bondages of sin, in order to freely love others? What if we believed in community life as a principle for living authentic human lives? What if we were to advocate that a creative and loving God, a God hell bent on loving humanity, does not wage war or choose sides in our human ones? What if we believed in a God whose future is peaceful? What if we chose to live into that future?
What if today were that turnaoround moment for you, when you come to your senses and believe in the possibilities brought about by the life and death and resurrection of Jesus?
What if you drank coffee that promised someone somewhere a slightly better life? What if you simplified in order to make a healthier planet and a fairer economy for others just because it is right to make people's lives better?
What if?
What if this were a time in which God were about to do a new thing among us here? What if this were a time in which the Spirit of Jesus would become more evident within us? What if this were a time when we are called upon to live out our hope for a more just world, a world governed by something like the reign of God?
What if the biblical narrative, the story of what God does for people through Jesus, becomes our story? What if we embrace the truth that we are indeed rescued and freed from the bondages of sin, in order to freely love others? What if we believed in community life as a principle for living authentic human lives? What if we were to advocate that a creative and loving God, a God hell bent on loving humanity, does not wage war or choose sides in our human ones? What if we believed in a God whose future is peaceful? What if we chose to live into that future?
What if today were that turnaoround moment for you, when you come to your senses and believe in the possibilities brought about by the life and death and resurrection of Jesus?
What if you drank coffee that promised someone somewhere a slightly better life? What if you simplified in order to make a healthier planet and a fairer economy for others just because it is right to make people's lives better?
What if?
God's Word in Worship
September 24, 2006
Pentecost 16
Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 54
James 3:13-4:3,7-8a
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
Jesus says "Whoever welcomes a little child, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." Jesus is saying that to welcome a child is to welcome God himself. Amazing to think that Jesus esteemed children so highly.
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