As I look back at this year the thing I celebrate most is
the way in which you/we ARE being the church of Jesus Christ. For a few years
now we have been moving strongly away from seeing church as an event on Sunday
but rather living church as “3 or more people in a covenant commitment to grow
in Christ and make Christ known.”
I remember in 2011 when we pushed into this
through the “What is Church – Really?” series, that it was an unsettling and
confusing time for many people. What is fantastic is that we are seeing the
good fruit of what it looks like to be church in this relational way of being,
rather than simply coming to church as an event on Sunday.
I can tell you story
after story after story after story of the way in which individuals and groups
have cared deeply for others (both within the church and beyond) in costly and
powerful ways. At times this has involved assisting financially (into the
thousands of dollars); helping out practically; listening well; going the extra
mile; showing God’s love through little and big acts of kindness; taking risks
in sharing Christ with others; making a positive difference in the workplace or community; helping people
move from a belief in God to a living relationship with Christ; and so on.
PRAISE GOD – AWESOME JOB CHURCH!
In the December Rochedale SS & Springwood SS Chaplaincy
Newsletter the following paragraph highlights this:
“One family from Springwood Central have really done it
tough this term. After losing
their house and almost everything they owned in a fire, they have struggled to get back on their feet. Fortunately, our Springwood Central
and wider community (especially Logan
Uniting Church) has rallied behind them and donated many items of clothing, toys, food and furniture
to help them out…”
Just last week one of
our life groups also ran a free sausage sizzle at the Springwood Central School
Christmas Concert. This is just a very small example of the way in which you as
Logan Uniting Church are serving the wider community.
I have also appreciated the clearer understanding of the
place of our Sunday worship gathering that has been lived out this year. Sunday
is when we gather as church to celebrate God and His goodness; to celebrate what God has been doing in and through
us; to be encouraged and equipped in our discipleship; to be reminded of our
call to “draw people into a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ”.
It has also been important to remember that we don’t come as spectators,
sitting back like judges on “Australia’s Got Talent”, giving a tick to what we
like and a cross for what we don’t. Rather we come as participants who are
seeking to bring joy to God and others.
As we drive home the conversation should not be
about what we did or didn’t like but about the way/s in which we blessed God
and/or someone else. I have to say that for me the sense of God’s grace and
presence is continuing to grow – and it will continue to do so as we gather as
participants not spectators.
All in all I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU for
your faithfulness to Christ. It is an incredible privilege and joy to live and
serve alongside you.
Merrett and I pray you become increasingly
aware of God’s presence, love and activity this Christmas.
Yours in Christ
Graham Keech
