April 10, 2000
EDITORIAL:
What message do we proclaim?
___Easter rapidly approaches. Everything seems to approach rapidly these days, doesn't it? In the two weeks that remain before Easter, we would do well to slow down, take stock of our lives and try to comprehend how we will approach our Lord and Savior, the resurrected Christ.
___Of course, every Sunday provides opportunity to celebrate the Resurrection. But the holy season especially affords Christians an opportunity to consider the abundant love of God, the saving sacrifice of Jesus and the abiding and sustaining presence of the Holy Spirit. On the facing page, Charles Wade gives us a set of Scriptures to guide us through Holy Week. May we all be blessed and drawn closer to the Christ as we read and pray and await the splendor of Easter morning.
___And on that day, may we be prepared to greet worshippers we have not seen in the Lord's house since Christmas Eve. (True confession: As a there-every-time-the-church-door's-open preacher's kid, I often resented loud, gaudily dressed Christmas and Easter "Christians" who acted as if they were doing God a favor by showing up. As a there-practically-every-time-the-church-door's-open deacon, I have admired my pastors, who consistently express God's grace instead of bellowing hellfire from the pulpit. They're more restrained than I.)
___The arrival of these occasional worshippers, especially on Easter Sunday, should prompt us to examine how we manifest Christ to them. How do we express authentic Christian love? How do we show them why we call this place our church home? How do we profess our faith?
___A reader raised this issue recently. She sent copies of flyers from two nearby churches, which she had received at her home.
___One brochure invites the community to the grand opening of a new portion of the church's facility. "Don't miss this incredible day of worship!" it urges. "Come experience the difference."
___It describes the expanse of the new building--the number of square feet and seats, the millions of pounds of exterior walls, the cubic feet of concrete, the acres of carpet and ceramic tile.
___The other brochure invites people to attend the regular worship and participate in the ongoing ministries of the other congregation. "Through these very doors, there is love enough for you, me and the world," it proclaims. "All are welcome. 'Come unto me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'"
___It briefly lists the worship opportunities and focuses on its primary invitation: "Are you looking for a congregation whose understanding is that God is loving, caring and forgiving? A congregation that honors Scripture, reason, tradition and personal experience? A congregation that is grounded in education and personal study? A congregation that reveres great music as proclamation? A congregation that wants to be in the world serving people? A congregation that wants to be like family--warm and caring? ... We invite you to come and see." This brochure opens in the form of a cross.
___The "building" brochure represents a Baptist church, and the other flyer asks area residents to visit a Methodist church. "Based entirely on what these two churches offer, I, a lifelong Baptist, would choose the Methodist church," the writer said in a note that accompanied the brochures.
___Both congregations are fine churches, with strong, vibrant ministries. The church with the new building has every reason to be proud of its facility, which will be used to advance God's kingdom. But at least as these brochures present them, the other church more directly and warmly expresses genuine characteristics at the core of the gospel--love, nurture, growing discipleship and service to others in the name of Christ.
___Of course, churches communicate far beyond the edges of their brochures. Still, the difference in these flyers--and one recipient's painfully candid reaction to them-- should remind us to think about how we proclaim what's vitally important to our churches. Is it the good news of the gospel, or is it much more worldly and mundane?
___Beyond that, how do we project the gospel as individual Christians? Do our lives reflect Jesus' care through sacrificial service and unconditional love? The answer matters, not just for us but for those whose lives we touch.
___As Easter approaches, may we pray that our lives will be lived in the form of a cross --reaching upward in worship of God and outward in service to others.
___ Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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