07-04-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
July 4, 2021
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Thought for the Day: I know it is not what most people think about on July 4th, but today is the anniversary of my Ordination. Twenty-eight years ago, a wonderful group of people participated in my ordination service, including the laying on of hands. It was held at my home church, First Christian Church of Lincoln, Nebraska. The Regional Minister in Nebraska, Rev. Dwain Acker, preached the sermon. I remember doing the Communion Meditation and being so nervous. I stumbled around for words as I was both excited and overwhelmed by the events of that day. Though disappointed in what I presented, I think it might have been the first time I truly appreciated the immensity of the task to which I was being called. I had served as a Licensed Minister for almost four years before Ordination, yet sadly in my nearly 32 years of ministry to date, I have often lost sight of the magnitude of what it means to be called to the Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is easy to get stuck in the weeds of church life, shallow arguments about the placement of flowers or how someone was wearing sneakers to serve at the table (few people knew that the individual in question had toe surgery earlier that week, and couldn’t get another pair of shoes on). But then there are days when a community of faith comes together in breath-taking fashion. There are moments when it is clear how the power of the community is more than the power of its collective parts. The Spirit is present in an unmistakable way, and lives are being changed for the better. The church will never be perfect, or maybe when it is, we’ll know that the work is done. But in the meantime, we strive for what is greater than our likes and dislikes, our wants and wishes, our self-serving inclinations. It all begins with us acknowledging with great seriousness the calling to which we have been called. Otherwise, we will slip into the weeds and spend the precious energy of the community on everything but the Gospel.

Prayer: With humble gratitude, I stand before you, Gracious God, and acknowledge your love that has embraced me and provided me a purpose. My Spirit-infused gifts are what you need, not my selfish-infused pettiness. Provide me another moment where I glimpse both the immensity of the task before me and the life of Jesus that shows me how to live toward your dream. Amen.

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TODAY

One Service Sunday

10am in the Centrum

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