Each Lord’s Day the body of Christ gathers. We sing songs of praise, hear a word proclaimed, and gather around table. Each week we remember our identity, our call, and our mission. Each time we gather we are gathering with the people of God in all times and places. But often it is easy to think that our gathering is only about those that are present in our particular community at a particular time.
Gathering at General Conference 2016 is a needed reminder of the scope and gift of a global church.
Being such a diverse community is beautiful but it comes with many challenges. Different cultures, customs, languages and different ways of telling and living the story of Jesus. This requires a deeper and more patient listening, a purposeful and intentional decision to make room for conversation, silence, and clarification.
It also requires our willingness to listen to the Holy Spirit in this place. The Holy Spirit invoked by our praise, thanksgiving, and table sharing. The Holy Spirit that makes us one people through our baptism. A people united by our call to be agents of God’s reign of peace, justice, and love.
As we begin my prayer is that we live into our prayer that God’s kingdom will come and God’s will be done. Here in Portland, in Louisiana, around the world, as it is in heaven.
Stay tuned . . .