Proclamation: The Mission



Yes, indeed, it is all "for the Lord!"

For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters,
    in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”

And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”

Heb 2:11-13

 

Today we will gather together at our annual meeting. We will review the past year. Even as we do, may God help us to glean, from that information, insight into how best we can serve our God and all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

As we meet this morning let us not just look back; but, forward, considering the mission which God has called us to. We are not a social club. We are a community of saints called by God to proclaim God's name and what He has done and does do for us.

 

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

 

As we plan for the future serving God and our brothers and sisters in Christ, may God help us to remember our mission. According to the mission statement we unanimously approved at an annual meeting a few years ago: Our mission is to proclaim and teach the true word of God; to nurture members in the Faith; to reach out in witness and service, ministering to the community, and to participate in God’s mission throughout the world.

 

May God help us to be fruitful in the mission He has called us to.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 27:1-12 NIV Listen to the Voice of Wisdom and Reason

Acts 27:1-12 NIV
Sometimes, the majority needs to listen to the voice of wisdom. Often, it does not. The church on earth is often set up like a democracy. Everyone gets a voice. In January the council at Zion will take a look at the voting member roster and establish who must be removed from voting member status to the inactive baptized roster. Those who have not worshipped with us in the last year will no longer have a vote at our congregation meeting later that month. It is unfortunate that we find ourselves having to this is. But, it is necessary. Our constitution requires a 20% quorum at congregational meetings. Sometimes, it is difficult to get to that number in light of the fact that we have so many voting members who attend only a couple of Sundays a year; usually Christmas and Easter. It is also not always wise to have people who are not involved in the ministry of the church voting. When we vote, it is helpful that those who are voting have a big picture of what it is that we're voting on. Just as in government elections, we need to try to look at not just what is going to serve us as individuals; but, what is the greater good.

At our last annual meeting, the question of what time we should hold worship services came up at the congregation meeting. It was added to the agenda at the last minute. Some wanted to change the worship time to an earlier time, at least during the summer so that they would have more "play" time following worship. I advised against this as we have families who travel about 20 miles to worship and some of our seniors have a very difficult time getting there that early. But, the vote passed. The consequence was that our attendance dropped once the new time hit. Even those who wanted the time change didn't attend as often as they had before. And.. once, the time changed back to what it was when school started, some of those who quit coming during the summer never made it back. The majority had indeed voted; but, without actually putting much fore-thought about the long-term consequences of the vote the whole congregation suffered.

If there is to be a vote; sometimes, (always would be better) the majority needs to listen to the voice of wisdom. Paul warns about sailing toward Italy so late in the season. They had already been battling the storms and had sought shelter in a safe harbor. But, they took a vote and they are about to sail on treacherous seas. We will find that in upcoming days that there were consequences for this vote. They will realize they should have listened to the voice of wisdom and reason.

God's Peace - Pr. J