From the Interim Pastor

"The reason for the mission of Jesus has been succinctly expressed in the words: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3.16). thus the first and foremost attitude of God toward the world is love to every woman, man, and child who has ever been born into human history…One of the convictions which governs our reflections in this text is that the Church was intended by God, not for its own sake, but as an instrument, in God’s hands, for the transformation of the world. Thus service (diakonia) belongs to the very being of the Church. (109)"

Source: The Nature and Mission of the Church (Geneva: World Council of Churches, 2005)

A small group of adults has met between Easter and Pentecost to study the 123 paragraphs in the document cited above. We have had interesting discussions about when we are and are not functioning as “church.”

First and foremost, following the attitude of God and the command of Jesus we are to love. The way we love is shown in our service to others:

• Invite into Christian faith and the Church
• A letter to a visitor to the church
• A visit to a homebound member
• Teaching children
• Helping at a church event for members
• Helping those in need in the community
• Calling someone you have not seen or spoken to for a while
• Seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with someone you have hurt
• Giving above and beyond what is asked, because you care
• Pitching in locally, nationally, or internationally when disaster strikes
• Advocating for those who are being exploited or oppressed anywhere
• Pray for others and the church’s ministries

Of its very nature, the church is missionary. It is an instrument, in God’s hands, for the transformation of the world. That’s the standard by which we look at what we are doing. The early church worked in concentric circles: in Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria, before reaching towards the ends of the world (Acts 1.8). That’s what we can follow here: in Bloomfield, Essex County, across county and state boundaries, before we reach towards the ends of the world. Sound impossible?

Look within this SPIRE and you will find members doing things in circles that start in the church and extend outward. It is my hope that all of you reading this can find a way to help us be God’s instrument. Come and worship. Let us know how we can stay in touch if you cannot be with us. Contribute what you can of yourself and your time so that our buildings and members serve as instruments, in God’s hand, for serving others as Christ served us.

The Rev. Robert Foltz-Morrison

Past messages from the Interim Pastor:
May 2009
April 2009