Building Community
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the
glory of God” - Romans 15:7
As I embarked upon writing something of worth for this year’s
Lenten devotional, I was reminded of a lunch meeting that I had with
a colleague some time ago. The name, church, and even the
denomination that this person serves in will remain private – it’s
really not that important as you will see. This friend had been
raised in a church (a child of a pastor), serving in all of the
positions that one might expect. Upon graduating from college,
decided to dedicate their life to serving God as a clergy person.
Entered seminary, completed that, and embarked upon a life of
pastoral ministry.
During our lunch time conversation, I discovered a person that
struggled with a sense of loneliness due to the “walls of
isolation” that had been built even as the various ministries were
engaged in. It seemed as though the more this person “lived into”
their call to ministry, the more isolated they felt. Each new
endeavor, each new “position” brought with it a real (or
perceived) need to protect one’s image until today, this person,
this friend, this colleague and even more important – this sacred
child of the Living God feels lost and lonely.
My question is this – Is this really what God intended when Jesus
called the disciples to go into the entire world and be witnesses for
a greater good? Has the church, as an institution of God, forgotten
the example of Jesus Himself who was willing to make himself
vulnerable so as to lift another from their sin, hurt, or isolation?
Or has the church, over the centuries, created an isolated and
isolating fraternity that discourages a person from realizing the
full potential that God intended for each person?
In our United Methodist Book of Discipline, one can find this
statement:
“Primary for us is the gospel understanding that all persons are
important – because they are human beings created by God and loved
through and by Jesus Christ and not because that have merited
significance.”
So, our task, as a church and as individuals is to:
1 – See ourselves as loved and accepted
2 – See others as loved and accepted
3 – And work to create an environment that all are welcomed by God and God’s people.
2 – See others as loved and accepted
3 – And work to create an environment that all are welcomed by God and God’s people.
In closing, may each of us serve the Lord with all of our hearts,
minds, and strength, and allow God to love us for who we are and
whose we are! May we all discover new ways to build community for one
another as we journey through this season of Lent.
Pastor Ray McGee
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