Relational Thinking and The Church

In Christian servant hood, our appropriate displays of behavior, such as patience and understanding, can be a reflection of a continuous healthy relationship with God. If we have a healthy knowledgeable relationship with God, we are willing to let God relate his love through us to humankind and do so in a nondiscriminatory manner. This manner of communication establishes a strong faith as well as strengthen relationships in both interfaith circles and those we serve most outside the church.

Relational thinking serves a great purpose in Christianity.

As Christians we subscribe to a faith offering eternal life through a belief in Christ. Additionally, we also subscribe to fellowship which educates, nurtures and sustains spiritual growth. In contrast, staunch differences in denominational thinking often stop the potential growth of relationships which nurture Christian faith with one another to the rest of the world.

In relating these previous thoughts, I ponder such questions:

Are denominational differences important in the eyes of  individuals we are to offer Christian service? 

Are we serving ourselves internally because it is comfortable or do we make choices to serve a world which does not always agree with Christian teachings?

How can we effectively serve communities outside the church when inside the church we are divided and not willing to listen to each another?

What efforts are we all taking to educate ourselves about the strengths of other churches ministries in our own communities?

Are we willing as a congregation to partner with them at various times?

The Apostle Doubting Thomas, Anabaptist Pilgrim Marpeck and Catholic nun Mother Teresa must have understood a greater purpose behind Christian service, not allowing differences in doctrine to hinder their discovered purposes of Christian servant hood. Each made a clear choice to communicate beyond the boundaries in a way that truly challenged their own personal thinking. Through gained wisdom, each had a willingness to share in God’s healing ministry of care and compassion for all peoples.

Governing laws in the church do serve a purpose. Formats of worship serve a purpose. These purposes should not stop us from forming denominational relationships which utilize the strengths of each congregation in a communal fashion. Serve one another. Serve together. Serve ALL mankind.

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

© Westbrook Design & Publishing, Ink., 2011

Family of Faith

When opening a door, do we give any thought to what is on the other side? We turn the knob and enter. A simple process. How much thought goes into opening a door toward good decision making? This kind of door can be a path to better opportunity or a path to a not-so-good decision with negative consequences. To make the first few steps with confidence, stronger faith is often required. Sometimes opening such a door becomes a decision based on what is strictly the right thing to do. In such decisions, how do we get to the point of understanding what is the right choice? There was once a man named Joseph who faced such a challenge.

For Christians, four weeks of Advent signify a time of spiritual cleansing and other preparations leading up to Christ birth. Joseph’s preparation started much earlier with Mary’s unexpected pregnancy. At the time, Joseph and Mary’s arranged marriage was in the first of two stages-the betrothal stage. As understood, both practiced Jewish law regarding marriage which does not allow consummating the arrangement until the latter stage.1 When a child is conceived before the appropriate time, to the public and religious authorities, adultery is considered the obvious cause. To dissolve the arrangement, seeking divorce was the only legal choice for Joseph.

Joseph was faced with choosing a door towards his own escape or trusting God to offer a door and path beyond his own initial understanding. What questions and answers did he face from the public? What possible answers did he seek from God, and more importantly, Mary? I imagine Joseph’s initial thoughts and approach to solving this for himself would be no different than our own approach today.  Perhaps, Joseph sought quiet solitude as well as experienced feelings of confusion and anger? What would be your self dialogue? Who would you talk to about such a dilemma? Eventually Joseph had his questions answered. Text from the book of Matthew brings into account Josephs dream encounter with an Angel of God explaining simply, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for she has conceived a son which is from the Holy Spirit.” Could this have been the point where he really questioned his own faith?

Joseph did not want Mary to face harsh lawful penalties which accompany the charge of adultery, nor did he want her to face public ridicule. He also realized marriage and fatherly support for this child might bring lifelong ridicule upon himself. Regardless, Joseph chose to obey Gods command, becoming a husband and an adoptive father to Christ. No matter how much Joseph may have questioned and sought understanding on his own, he eventually chose to stick with a principle to trust God’s plan. As Isaiah prophesied in Old Testament writings, the New Testament text from Matthew gives an account of Joseph’s commitment for years to come.

Joseph must have been a rightous man who spent much time in study and prayer. At first, he might have felt that his only partner was himself. As his faith grew, he realized his partners were Mary, God and the Holy Spirit. As a result, he embraced a faith much greater than his own and brought the whole family with him. During Christ childhood, this very commitment and Godly faith provided protection and guidance to those God intended. He trusted God, opened the door and embraced the purpose. Where we clearly see and understand God’s presence to be in our own decision making, may we choose similar approaches which bond us together and open doors to creating a family of faith.

1  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_views_on_marriage

©Westbrook Publishing, Ink., 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Building Foundations Together

As kids, some of us had the privilege of parents, grandparents or just an older friend sharing a story. Some stories make us laugh, cry, feel warm inside or even frightened. As years progress, our own lessons learned in life have provided more personal insight into those old stories and the messages behind each. These lessons help us pass down to younger generations similar stories that can be remembered.

I once heard of a farmer who was building a fence around his crops. As he spent the day digging post holes, setting even cut post and laying the rails, he also had to contend on his cart with one particular post of odd length. This piece of wood kept getting in the way. Continually having to move it around the wood he needed, in frustration, the farmer threw it into a nearby ravine (or as we like to call in the South, a deep gully). Later that day, as he reached the last short section needed to complete the fence, he noticed that the cart was empty and he had one last post hole to fill. While scratching his head, he questioned, How did I mis-count? I know I have another post around here somewhere. What once was a thorn in his side was now suddenly a stick of wood which could provide a solution. Just one problem. That odd length post now rested, where the farmer found reason to discard, 25 feet down at the bottom of a steep red dirt coated bank-side. What once was an object of distaste and frustration had now become very important.  Without it, he could not  ”tie the knot” towards completing a whole days work. Without the post, he simply would not be finished.

Why does a farmer build a fence around his or her property anyway? Is it to let others on the outside know the property boundaries? Many times, a fence can help protect livestock and food. Perhaps, the farmer is using the fence as a reminder of where his or her property ends and another persons begins. Regardless, for the fence to be effective, it must be complete. Without a post placed firmly in the ground to hold the joining parts, the foundation is incomplete. The fence becomes useless simply because one piece is missing. Like the farmer, who at the end of his workday discovered the essential value of one post, what are some things that we tend to discard, only discovering later the value and importance of such?

In scripture, Christ is expressed as being the cornerstone to doctrine. In homes with single moms, single dads, singles, couples with kids and without, many who are Christians would probably describe Christ as being the foundation. In comparison, just how important are the parts that make this foundation? Christ loved. Christ listened. Christ was forgiving. No matter what race, shape or size of those he spent time with, Christ was a servant leader. By his actions and teachings, he sought to help others understand their importance. In our families and friendships, how are we emulating similar servant leadership to build foundations together? Servant leadership should compliment the very best qualities of others, especially our spouse and family. Christ understood his boundaries as well. He knew when to take action and when to simply let things take shape. Likewise, we all do justice in reminding ourselves of the boundaries where we can help guide and where we might be going too far with guidance. By taking a more unconditional approach, we often receive positive responses from those we care for in such ways.

Let your spouse, family and friends know their qualities are not to be discarded; however, recognized. We can love. We can listen. We can learn to be forgiving. No matter what shape, size or combination of family we may serve, we can learn to serve in a Christ-like manner.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-16

©Westbrook Publishing, Ink., 2010. All Rights Reserved.