A New Day and Time

It has been said that there is 'nothing new under the sun' but I say to you that, today, there is. Why?  Because today  I see an attitude and practice exciting a new generation of Christians now taking their turn at Kingdom advancement by serving in ways that work.   By folks taking seriously the life and teachings of Christ, and placing such at the core of individual and corporate church expressions, the church is beginning to respond to challenges that directly effect our world - opening up new opportunities to share the gospel.   And that is exciting.  Always!

I've sensed the need for this new day for a long time.  When I first began Parkwayhills Church - even though we had no physical building to call our own - in every way I knew this was a beginning in the church, to the church, and for the church.  Now that's not what I said, that's just what was.  What I said was - 'we need to be a church for those on the outside'- and, try as I might, I spent all the energy and resources I could muster to convince 'us' this was true.  Had I been pressed, though, I would've had to admit that the 'world' - well... really could care less.  So that my true and best hope was that we might simply 'catch' or 'attract' a few of those on the 'outside' who were on their way to the 'inside' anyway.   In my heart I ached for a church that was more.  I longed for a church triumphant, marching on to Zion while making a difference as tasty salt and loving light in the lives of all people - so that people, whether inside or out, might look up and say, WOW, that was something!  

So, getting back to the new, what I see today is something I really like.  I see a deacon ministry that is connecting with our members and not just coming to meetings.  I see small groups, whether meeting on Sundays or other days of the week at church or in the home, creating structures of true Christian koinonia where people connect in ways beyond 'consumer' and are engaged in faith that changes lives.      

On Sunday, April 27,  I will begin a preaching series titled, "In this City."  By teaching about Christ's life from the gospels I will attempt to engage our congregation to not "do' church but "be" the church instead. Christ made a difference - a difference that centers absolutely on the cross.   And, though we know it is not our job to re-do what Christ has done (as only His work there is sufficient) but to tell others about it, the truth is we earn the right to do so, or not, in the way we live.  Do we doubt that Jesus piqued the interest of others in who He was with a winsome life?  Dare we do less?  

Yes... this is a new day and time and I, for one, am glad for it!  The world we live in is not impressed with rhetoric.   It is time for us (the church) to change - in ways that have, for too long, only failed - with lives that can!  

I thank God for a new day and time.  Don't you? 

Pastor Sam