Three Essential Gifts

Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 12:2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

I am reminded of the words heard during a class while attending seminary. Rev. Susan Leonard Ray was a guest speaker in the Methodist Polity class I was taking. Her topic that day dealt with the nature of the local church. Three points made during this class have always stayed with me. Every church has its purpose, time, and place on the map. These can be words to live by as we plan our ministries for the church.

Purpose: Why does this church exist? The church is called to feed the hungry, care for the sick, visit people in prison, and welcome strangers. In other words, the church is to be the body of Christ reaching out to the world in missions. At Church of the Palms we acknowledge we are part of the universal church engaged in missions. This suggests the church pursues love of neighbor and strives to employ its spiritual gifts, so that the church is a place where a person may experience the reign of God. The church is where the body grows in love, and experiences the beginnings of eternal life. In the body of the church people engage in a fellowship that helps deepen a person’s faith as the church supports and prays for each other. The church is a place where people celebrate the love of God revealed in Christ. The church resides in the hearts of all believers. The church provides a glimpse of eternal life.

Time: Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time to every purpose under heaven. Not everything lasts forever. As sad of a thought this may be or as much as we would like to think our church will be where it is forever is simply not a reasonable notion. Going back home to Alabama I am reminded that change is active. New developments, new roads, or shopping centers exist wherefields use to be. What was the country side is no more. Noticed is how populations come and sometimes go, even culture and language are in a state of flux. An effective church is in tune with its surroundings and speaking a language the community in which it exists can understand. We should take advantage of every moment not letting any opportunities pass us by if possible. We should live life to the fullest.

Place on the map: Why this place? What was going through the minds of those who decided this was the sort of church that should be planted? If the church is to be the first place the Kingdom of God is experienced then The Kingdom of God is present in the church today through its activities, and at the same time it awaits the second coming of Christ to establish God’s Kingdom on earth. The church in the world today is to be the first place where the reign of God can be identified and witnessed. The reign of God is more than a personal vision of God’s future, as the church is to be a place which transforms the world until God’s love, justice, and mercy prevail throughout the whole world. It is also a future event where the world will experience a complete healing and redemption.

So much to be done and so little time.