Forty-Five Years And Counting.......

Last Sunday our faith family celebrated forty-five years of history, in community, with Jesus and one another. We noted that this is about the same length of time taken in building the Herodian Temple in Jerusalem. Students of history know that the Romans had something to say about that building project in the year 70 AD. If you visit Jerusalem today you can see the remnants of that structure, known as, the "Western" or "wailing wall". In 70 AD the temple was brought to the ground, the inhabitants of Jerusalem were scattered like seed in the wind, but the followers of Jesus were sprouting in fellowships dotting the Mediterranean landscape.

Someone has said that the 21st century church suffers from an "edifice complex". That is to say,we seem prone to building things that will not last, buildings that will one day crumble and fall, We tend to prefer building edifices to God's glory rather than forming one another in the image of Christ. Brenda Husson describes our tendencies with these words.

“WE HAVE A KNACK FOR CREATING STATUES, PUTTING UP

PLAQUES AND FASHIONING MEMORIALS. GOD PREFERS TO

BUILD UP THE BODY OF CHRIST. THIS IS WHY (GOD) GIVES

THE HOLY SPIRIT.”

Reuben Job offers us the following encouragement about Jesus’ practices and promises regarding the importance of “being in” community.

Jesus lived his life in community. From his childhood with Mary and Joseph to his calling and traveling with the disciples to his declaration that he and the Father were one, Jesus lived in community. A community of faith nurtured him, supported him, and informed him. It is unthinkable that we would try to live a faithful life without the gifts offered in a faithful community of Jesus. Jesus was known for valuing solitude since he retired to rest and pray, but living in a community also marked his life….Jesus makes a dramatic and revolutionary promise when he says, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matt 18:20) This is a welcome promise to those who may wonder if God is present in their lives or their affairs. This is a hopeful promise for those who sometimes feel alone and forsaken. This is an enormous assurance for those who face the unknown and need companionship and community.

My prayer for the followers of Jesus is that we will sense and ackowledge his presence among us, and that we will encourage, admonish and commission each other to live lives which are shaped by the gift of Christ with us and within us.

In Christ,

Jon(the methodist)