All That Matters

So this Sunday marks two years in the UCC, which also means that I have been trying to figure out what it means to be a Christian and how I can be a Christian for three and a half years. Well, I guess I have been trying to figure out the Christian thing for a while but it was more so I could so what I was not. Now I am trying to figure it out so I can say what I am.

I have learned a lot about Church and what it means to the Body of Christ in today’s world.  I have had really positive church experiences and some really not so fantastic experiences. But there have been some constants in all of it and for those few people I am eternally grateful.

I think that the best way to share what I have learned is just to make a list. Some of things are a little silly but, they are all true.

 1.     Church + Beer = Good

2.     Youth lock-ins are fun but don’t fall asleep with your computer open.

3.     You cannot always trust church leaders. They can make mistakes too.

4.     Challenge the status quo. Regardless of what you think will happen. Jesus calls us to speak out against oppression.

5.     If you see something you don’t like…say something! Don’t sit there and just accept everything.

6.     Not everyone is going to like you.  Get over it.

7.     People +Church Basement= Revolution (I stole this one from the pastor of FPC Allentown)

8.     Don’t give up hope. After all, “Jesus calls the not good enoughs.”

9.     It is ok to say “No” when asked to do something. If you always say “Yes” people will take advantage of you.

10.   Ecumenical events are the best places to meet people.

11.  “Love Wins.”

12.  Don’t give up on people.

13.  Don’t end a friendship just because someone is no longer at the church (this is the most important thing I have learned).

14.  Sing in the choir at least once.

15.  Serve communion as often as possible.

16.  Communion by intinction is the best.

17.  The offering does not need to be a part of the service. Personally I don’t like it as part of the service.

18.  Dogs should be allowed to go to church.

19.  Beanbag chairs make everything better.

20.  The church is not confined to the four walls of the sanctuary.

This isn’t everything I have learned and I know that I will learn a lot more, but for now this is where I am.

I believe that Jesus calls us to challenge the status quo because if we instinctively have a problem with something there is probably something wrong. I believe that as part of the God movement we are called to bring hope to the world. I believe that as part of the God movement we are called to speak for the voiceless.

I believe in Harry Potter quotes.

1.     “We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.” Sirius Black

2.     “It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.” Dumbledore

3.     “Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is what and what is east.” Dumbledore

4.     “It’s our choices, Harry, that show is who we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Dumbledore

I believe in what Rev. Martin Luther King said:

1.     “Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence, but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shot a man, but you refuse to hate him.”

2.     “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort, but where he stands at time of challenge and controversy.”

That is what I believe. You might not agree with me and that is great. In fact I would be concerned if you agreed with me 100%. What matters, all that ever has mattered, and all that will ever matter, is this; “Perfect love casts out fear.”

go in PEACE. live PEACE. be PEACE.

*please pardon the format. i don't get it either.*

On Earth

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.

 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)

Notice the words, “your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth” On Earth. That chunk of rock in space that we just happen to live on.

So what does it mean to create the Kingdom of God on Earth? What would it look like if the Church Universal worked together to create the Kingdom of God on Earth?

I wonder what would happen if the Church stopped making the purpose of Church attendance and money and made the purpose of the Church community and restoration.  I wonder if attendance would just naturally increase if the Church left the four walls of the sanctuary and became active in the community. I wonder what would happen of the Church Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor as yourself” seriously. I wonder what would happen if the Church took seriously its charge to care for the Earth. I wonder what would happen if the church stopped serving structures and started serving people.

After all Jesus said, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35 ESV) and “ It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28 ESV).

In his book, “If the Church Were Christian” Philip Gulley says, “In the first story of the Bible, after God created the world, God gave humans the responsibility of caring for it. Old gospel tunes not withstanding, this world is our home and our responsibility. To shirk that duty in order to focus on a world we have no verifiable proof even exists is misguided. Yet many Christians still contend that preparing people for an afterlife should be the church’s chief priority and willingly commit much energy and money securing entry to heaven even as people suffer and starve for lack of basic necessities.”

It is almost Advent. I love Advent/Christmas/ Epiphany. The reason for my love is hope. Jesus came to restore our broken world. Jesus actively brought the Kingdom of God to Earth. This Jewish Rabbi understood that Heaven is not only this far off place, but that it could be a present reality. As a follower of “The Way” I am committed to bringing the Kingdom of God to Earth.

I want to leave you with some lyrics from one of my favorite songs, “You gave your life to make a difference.  You gave your life to make a change.  You welcome all to your table, you’re calling us to do the same.  I want my life to make a difference.  I want my life to make change.  I want my life to do some good here.  I want my life to make change.” Rachel Kurtz- Make A Difference

go in PEACE. live PEACE. be PEACE.