|
|
From the Pastor...
RENEWING OUR
VOWS
Spring is a time when many young people make vows
of marriage to each other and promise to do certain things. It
can be also a time for renewing one vows to God as individuals
and as a congregation. As we begin to prepare for our "expansion"
at Parkwood, it is an opportune time for us to remember "who we
are" and "what we are about". Several years ago, we spent a lot
of time discussing this, and came up with our Statement of
Purpose:
THE PURPOSE OF PARKWOOD IS TO ENABLE
INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO DISCOVER, GROW IN, AND SHARE
THE LOVE OF GOD FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST.
Two thirds of our statement has to do with Evangelism, --- "to
enable individuals and families to discover ......... and share -
the love of God found in Jesus Christ. Are you aware of that?
This is our purpose. This is who we decided we are and want
to continue to be - to enable to find God through Jesus Christ,
and to share Christ with others. What I want to challenge myself
to do and each one connected to Parkwood, to renew our vows, to
renew our commitment to "evangelism".
In a recent edition of the magazine Anglican Word, the Reverend
David Power, Advisor in Evangelism to the Diocese of Portsmouth,
England writes, "It is clear that evangelism cannot be separated
from other aspects of church life; something which congregations
can do a bit of now and then if they like that sort of thing.
Evangelism is actually an expression the very nature of the
church, of who we are. If the local church is healthy it will
grow; growth is a normal sign of health".
Reverend Power uses ten factors that are usually present in
growing churches as a yardstick against which to measure a
congregation.
- LEADERSHIP, BOTH LAY AND CLERGY, COMMITTED TO
EVANGELISM AND WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT AN
EVANGELISTIC MOTIF UNDERLIES THE LIFE AND WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH.
- WORSHIP WHICH IS ALIVE WITH A SENSE OF THE
REALITY OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD;
WHICH CELEBRATES WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US IN CHRIST, IS
ACCESSIBLE TO THE NEWCOMER, AND TOUCHES THE HEART AS WELL
AS THE MIND.
- BIBLICAL TEACHING. A CONSISTENT DIET OF
STRAIGHTFORWARD BIBLICAL PREACHING, TEACHING AND BIBLE
STUDY; ESPECIALLY IN THE HOME GROUPS DURING THE WEEK.
- SPIRITUAL RENEWAL THROUGH A SPECIFIC PROGRAMME
WHICH FOSTERS THE LIFE OF PRAYER AND ENCOURAGES
REGULAR BIBLE READING.
- THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCH AS AN OPEN
COMMUNITY; CHARACTERIZED BY LOVE, ACCEPTANCE, FORGIVENESS,
RECONCILIATION, SINCERE CARE, HONESTY, JOY, UNITY AND GOOD FUN.
THE QUALITY OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNITY
LIFE IN THE LOCAL CHURCH ARE A POWERFUL WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL.
NEW PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES READILY ACCEPTED.
- A CONSISTENT CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE NEEDS OF THE
NEWCOMERS, SO THAT THEY CAN BE HELPED TO FEEL NOTICED,
WANTED, AND AT HOME IN THE CHURCH.
- PRACTICAL SERVICE TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHICH
GIVES GREATER CREDIBILITY FOR THE CHURCH'S MESSAGE.
- MISSION EVENTS WHICH REMIND THE CONGREGATION THAT
WE ARE A PEOPLE CALLED TO GOD'S MISSION. IN DOING
EVANGELISM THE CHURCH ITSELF RESPONDS MORE FULLY TO THE GOSPEL.
- THE CHURCH BUDGET REFLECTS A CONCERN TO MAKE
EVANGELISM A PRIORITY. HOW WE SPEND OUR MONEY IS A
CLEAR INDICATION OF WHAT WE REALLY DEEM TO BE IMPORTANT.
- REGULAR OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENQUIRERS TO EXPLORE
THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN A RELAXED, UNPRESSURED CONTEXT.
How do we stack up as individual Christians and as a
Congregation, when it comes to
Evangelism. What are we
doing well? In what areas can we improve? What initiatives
should we take? Share your ideas with others, with your Elder,
with myself. Bring your concerns and
ideas up in the Session, the Ladies Group, the Coffee Klatch, the
Bible Studies, the Breakfast Groups, etc. Let's make a
difference.
Let's begin by renewing our commitment to help
"individuals and families to discover Christ and share Him with
others".
Sincerely,
Floyd McPhee 
|
|
|
