The minister’s wife came forward after the sermon…
Many churches offer an invitation after the sermon, allowing people to make a public response of any kind to the teaching just presented. We typically expect a non-response, which speeds us to lunch faster. But how would we respond if a pastor’s wife responded to the invitation, as it did this morning at Stones River Church of Christ (Murfreesboro, Tennessee).
Most churches I’ve attended would respond as though they were witnessing an unfolding scandal… “what is going on?” “ I bet there is some sin someone has found out about”… or “I always thought that she was a strong Christian, why is she having to come forward.” My advice to those who are in churches like these: lock your doors and take down your sign. You are not a church. At least not as I would define church.
Stones River demonstrated what a church is in its reaction. It appeared as though dozens were responding to the sermon, as many people came forward to offer their help, encouragement, and prayers. The preacher shared that this sister in Christ was struggling with her attitude, and that God used the worship assembly to convict her of hardness within her heart. As he prayed for her, many more came forward to surround her in prayer.
Here is a daughter of God that understands the all-encompassing nature of a relationship with Jesus, and a family committed to helping one another become disciples of Christ. Here are people who understand that there is no longer any use for or power in shame and guilt in the Kingdom of unconditional love. This is how I would define church: not an event, not a building, not an organization to belong to, but a distinctive people called out to represent God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Many churches offer an invitation after the sermon, allowing people to make a public response of any kind to the teaching just presented. We typically expect a non-response, which speeds us to lunch faster. But how would we respond if a pastor’s wife responded to the invitation, as it did this morning at Stones River Church of Christ (Murfreesboro, Tennessee).
Most churches I’ve attended would respond as though they were witnessing an unfolding scandal… “what is going on?” “ I bet there is some sin someone has found out about”… or “I always thought that she was a strong Christian, why is she having to come forward.” My advice to those who are in churches like these: lock your doors and take down your sign. You are not a church. At least not as I would define church.
Stones River demonstrated what a church is in its reaction. It appeared as though dozens were responding to the sermon, as many people came forward to offer their help, encouragement, and prayers. The preacher shared that this sister in Christ was struggling with her attitude, and that God used the worship assembly to convict her of hardness within her heart. As he prayed for her, many more came forward to surround her in prayer.
Here is a daughter of God that understands the all-encompassing nature of a relationship with Jesus, and a family committed to helping one another become disciples of Christ. Here are people who understand that there is no longer any use for or power in shame and guilt in the Kingdom of unconditional love. This is how I would define church: not an event, not a building, not an organization to belong to, but a distinctive people called out to represent God’s Kingdom here on earth.
posted by Kevin at 11:04 PM
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