“The best thing about being part of the church is all the lovely and fabulous people that make up the Body of Christ. Being part of a loving community is the best thing in the world. And the worst thing about the Church is being part of a community that has forgotten how to love, forgive, accept difference and live peaceably with one another. And, sadly, I have been told more stories about churches who are in dispute than stories about churches who love God and love one another and get on with the business of being Gospel-sharers where they are. This year, can we correct this imbalance? Let us do all we can - as I commit to do all that I can – let us all do all we can to share positive and good stories of church life. And, I wonder, if we cannot properly love the neighbours we have within the Body of Christ, how are we going to love our other neighbours, colleagues, friends and all whom we encounter beyond the life of the church? For love, like charity, begins at home but then it should spread to the whole world but we are really in trouble if there is no locus for our love.”
I really like what our new President is suggesting here. I’m chairing our Circuit Meeting in a couple of weeks and we will be going into groups to help think seriously about what our good news stories are. We need to think again about what makes us distinctive. It is that we have life - even if there are only a few of us. Remember Jesus only had twelve helpers. They weren’t perfect. They often wanted to give up. But mostly they saw a different way in this Jesus which was exciting. We have a choice whether we are Christ’s Church or our Church.
The letter to the Galatians is all about what behaviour the newly formed church there should show. The fifth chapter declares to us enthusiastically the freedom we have in Christ. Whilst the Galatians were free from the law's requirements, they were encouraged to live out the law's essence: loving your neighbour. We are no longer under the slavery of the law so that we can choose to serve one another. It includes a call to live by the Spirit and not the flesh.
I read this quote from the sermon notes from the Church of Scotland: "Paul is encouraging us to live in this freedom, but in the verses, he has also given us some guidance – to love and to be a servant. Sometimes you think ‘I am free, so I can do whatever I want'. But Paul is saying you have freedom, but there is also a way to live out this freedom: love our God in everything you do. You are not free to walk by your flesh. You are free to walk by the Spirit, according to the word of God."
Can we discover again our distinctiveness and then show that distinctive way to society? Can we show Christian fruits? The Queen in her Christmas broadcast in 2013 said this getting it just right: “faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God’s love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.” And love is not just for Christmas!
I’ve quoted the new President of the Conference. Let me now quote Nick Baines, the Bishop of Leeds, who addressed his Synod last week like this:
“There’s really not a lot to talk about at the moment, is there? The world is at peace, all is well with the UK economy, politics are predictable and boring, challenges are few, nothing much changes. Well, I know many people who wish it were so. But, you’d have to live each day with your head deep in the sand, if you think that all is well. I only have to mention Ukraine and Russia, Afghanistan, the energy crisis, food banks, poverty, hungry children and families, the rising cost of living, questionable public ethics, and we know all is not well with the world. To add to the burden, the island of Ireland is worried about renewed tensions fuelled by political division and the unilateral breaking of international law; parliamentary sovereignty is being replaced by increasing moves toward executive sovereignty (decision by ministerial fiat); we export refugees to Rwanda, denying them human rights under the rule of law at a very basic level. And the Church – bishops in particular – comes under the cosh of certain political and media interests for daring to have something to say.”
The Church should stay out of the world! Well, some churches do. But we need to be in the world and our call as well as being one and confident in each other is to offer a world that is getting more lost every day a new road. How do we do that? By being rooted in God and knowing that love in Jesus for ourselves. Then being so excited by it we cannot help share it. Sometimes we need to get involved. We need God’s help.Without the Holy Spirit we can't live a life that pleases God. Doing the work of the flesh, is in our endemic nature. So, we need the Spirit of God. Some people don't want to do bad things but because of our nature we find ourselves doing these things. But by allowing the Holy Spirit help us in our lives, then you will be able to do the opposite. How can we get that? By reading the word of God, meditating on the word of God and trying to live the life that pleases God. That way we will show love, joy, endurance and so on.
How we behave matters! I was interested in what was going on watching Billie Eilish’s set at Glastonbury on Friday night. She gave the crowd some rules: “Don’t be an asshole, no judgment, have fun.” I won’t suggest that becomes our mission statement but I get her point. What was more interesting was a crowd who were unified. They all knew her songs word perfect, they hung on her every word, she spoke to them like there was no one else there, the atmosphere was electric, and they would have all gone home talking to others about what they’d seen and heard with excitement and joy. Compare and contrast!
better not say her word :), no judgment and have fun.” I won’t suggest that be our
I should have shared these words with the folk at West Tanfield this Sunday. It’s amazing what you find when you Google! I put West Tanfield Methodists in and found these words:
“West Tanfield Methodist Church is serving the Ripon community and engaging and encouraging others through a life-changing journey in Ripon, North Yorkshire.
Our mission is to nurture a diverse and welcoming community, committed to following fearlessly wherever God is leading us and make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of Ripon and the world.”
Not a bad summary of the task of the Church wherever we are. My prayer is that we sort ourselves out again and then bear fruit - we are called to be distinctive.
I don’t think God has finished with his church yet. We may be smaller, we may be a different shape, we may need to think hard about our priorities but we still have a task. We need to watch how we behave. We need to go out more and make a difference. Wouldn’t it be good to be talked about again? Or even get in trouble for making a stand? Wouldn’t we grow again if we just started living Christianity again so that by our fruits we might be known?
be an —— (better not say her word :), no judgment and have fun.” I won’t suggest that be our new mission statement but I get her point! What was more interesting was a crowd who were unified. They all knew her songs word perfect, they listened to her every word, she spoke to them like there was no one else there, the mood was electric and they would have all gone home talking to others about what they’d seen and heard with conviction and joy…
Compare and contrast!
e an —— (better not say her word :), no judgment and have fun.” I won’t suggest that be our new mission statement but I g her
