Ray Broadwell – Fairway District
During the 1940’s, a storm destroyed a village church sanctuary on the northern coast of England. The poverty of the members of the church made it impossible for them to rebuild immediately. After a few months, a British Admiral appeared in the village and asked where the Pastor lived. When they sat down to talk, the Admiral enquired about the plans to rebuild. He found that it was unlikely because of the poverty of the villagers, so he said that the British government would restore the church sanctuary for them. The steeple of the church was a landmark on all the maps of the British navy. It would be easier to rebuild the church than to redraw all of the maps.
This simple story reminds us of a profound truth. The church points the way to God through Jesus Christ. The church helps us deal with important issues – life, death, eternity, forgiveness, judgment, stewardship, faithful living. The church addresses important questions such as, how do I live a life pleasing to God? How do I learn to pray? What is my purpose in life?
In our United Methodist Book of Discipline we find these wise words about the church:
” The church is a community of all true believers under the Lordship of Christ…
Under the discipline of The Holy Spirit, the church seeks to provide for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world.”
The church is not perfect since it is made up of human beings, and we are far from perfect. Sometimes the church falls into disrepair. Sometimes it is rocked by controversies. In spite of flaws and imperfections, nothing else in the world can fulfill the church’s mission.
Would you join me in praying for our church just now, and throughout this New Year?
Come, Holy Spirit,
Be our Light, our Guide, and our Comforter.
Be our Strength, our Courage, and our Sanctifier.
May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for Your church.
A time of welcoming your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally,
A time for growing in virtue and godliness,
A time of growing in unity.
Make us one with Christ,
one with one another,
and one in ministry to all the world.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come.
For Christ’s sake.
Amen.
Matthew 16:18 …...” I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”
I believe in the church!