Dear Church,
I have just returned from our North Carolina Annual Conference, where, as usual,I returned with many thoughts twirling around in my head. But one that keeps coming back to me is something Bishop Hope shared with all the clergy during the Clergy Executive Session at the beginning of conference.
Bishop Hope conveyed to us that she sees her primary role as that of communicator. At first, I was surprised. But after thinking about it, I see where she is coming from. After all, she said, as Christians, we are all communicators of the gospel. I wonder what our lives together would look like if we took seriously our role as communicators of the good news of Jesus Christ? I wonder if we would be…
more centered in prayer, as a primary form of communication with God?
more aware of our “body language”, our day-to-day conversations with co-workers, grocery clerks, children, elders, and strangers?
more engaged in small groups with other Christians – even with those we may not agree with?
more aware of the slogans on our t-shirts or bumper stickers on our vehicles?
more concerned about the least of these – the poor, the outsider, the vulnerable, the prisoner?
As your pastor, I have the vocal task of communicating the Word through preaching on Sundays, praying with you, teaching, and counseling. In less obvious ways, I also communicate the gospel by how Tony and I honor the marriage covenant, how we choose to spend our money, by what and where and with whom we eat, and how we practice Sabbath by stopping, trusting God to re-create us anew.
What message does your individual life convey to the watching world?
What message does our common life as the Body of Christ convey?
When we provide food for children during the summer months, when we offer food and clothing to those in need, when we plan together to help a local family grow their own food, when we sit by the side of a sick neighbor, we are speaking loudly to the watching world. We are saying, “They will know we are Christians by our love”…not by our hate, judgment, or intolerance.
I am happy to be serving with you,
Pastor Grace