Dear Family in Christ, 

 

I recently prayed for guidance in sorting out what is REALLY important in life and ministry. The answer to those prayers was simple. Faithfulness is our top number one priority! When Mother Teresa talked upon her call to serve in Calcutta, she is quoted saying, “God didn’t call me to be successful, [God] called me to be faithful.”  It is no different for us. God called us ninety-three years ago, as God calls us now, to be faithful. Faithfulness is shown by our love of one another and acceptance of all people. So often congregations church succuss is reflected in increased numbers and offerings. But like Mother Teresa taught, our call is to faithfulness, not success. Anything we may deem as succuss as a result of our faithfulness comes from the Holy Spirit. We sow the seeds. The Holy Spirit brings the growth. 

 

But wait! We so often hear of churches closing down and shutting their doors. Why? People need Jesus now more than ever! There should be more churches, not less of them! During Jesus’ earthly ministry sinners and outcasts flocked to Jesus while the religious professionals of his day criticized him because he fellowshipped with “sinners and tax collectors.” People in and around Parma should be saying that about us! They should be saying, Parma Lutheran Church fellowships and worships with sinners and outcasts! We should be known as the congregation made up of forgiven sinners, because that is who every Christian is! And like Paul, we too continue to wrestle with sin (Romans 7:23-24).   

 

We as church are Christ in the world today! As Paul writes, “we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Here among us is where the sinners and outcasts of our time can find Jesus, forgiveness, love, acceptance, and healing for sin-sick souls. To show our faithfulness to God, we are to love one another, and welcome and love all people. As Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35)  

So, why are so many churches closing down? Simply put, because many congregations have lost focus. Like Peter when he stepped out of the boat on to the stormy sea, he had his eyes fixed upon Jesus. It was only when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus that he sank (Mattthew 14:22-31)!

  

We are the body of Christ in the world, and individually members of it (1 Cor. 12:27). We are to love as Jesus loved us (John 13:35). We are to be faithful (see Acts 11:23; and Revelation 2:10). Like Peter, let us step out of the boat on to the sea of our stormy lives and keep our eyes and faith firmly fixed upon Jesus! And then let us watch as the Holy Spirit brings others to faith and they worship and fellowship with us.

 

Amen.

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Journeying with you in Christ,

Pastor Jay