Friday’s thoughts
The three points I am looking at stem from the Biblcal texts from 1 Timothy in which it is suggested that Paul recongizes he was a leader in the persecution of Christians but that Christ forgave him. We realize the Timothy was not written by Paul but that the idea of Paul having been forgiven by Christ and the church for the way in which he persecuted the church was so well known that it became a symbol of the way the church taught people to forgive.
The other text comes from the 15th chapter of Luke and has to do with the way Jesus was at home with “tax collectors and sinners”. There is no apology for that in the Christian faith. As followers of Jesus our task is to look toward the margins of society and to live in support of those who have no support or voice.
We need not apologize for being Christian:
Jesus is our inspiration and he lived a life of inclusion and forgiveness, and he gave his life for others. He preached Agapaic love and he lived it.
We need not apologize for being United Methodist:
This denomination is a homecoming for anyone who is seeking to find and yet has not found. It is a denomination for seekers and risk takers. It is a denomination that encourages us to explore our faith, to use our minds, and to work to make the world a better place.
We need not apologize for being in First Church:
When you look at all the things that have happened because this church has acted on the passions of the ministry of its people it is amazing.
The range goes from Rotation Sunday School, Alternative worship, cooperative outreach with the Lamp mission trips, Women’s ministry Sunday, rennovated sanctuary, south entrance and elevator, columbarium, Kid’s closet, all-church picnic, basketball tournament, movies under the stars, youth mission trips, young couple’s fellowship, Stephen Ministry, new church start in Wellington…The list goes on. There is so much that has been initiated by members and their passion for ministry. This is a passion-driven, permission-giving church.
We have reason to want to take our faith and share it because there are others who would join us if we invited them.
How do you feel about your church? What do you think about how we get the word out? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net . If you are willing to have others look at your writing click on the ‘comments’ box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
