Pastor’s Corner – February 2022

Dear Friends,

A hundred years ago Rev. Charles E. Jefferson described the difference between an audience and a church. He said, “An audience is a crowd. A church is a family. An audience is a gathering. A church is a fellowship. An audience is a collection. A church is an organism. An audience is a heap of stones. A church is a temple.” And he concludes, “(We) are ordained not to attract an audience, but to build a church.” I hope that everyone in this room understands that critical difference. If a business, non-profit organization, or a political party is torn with dissension, it is a shame. But when the church of Jesus Christ is in turmoil, it is a tragedy. Christ depends on us and our unity.

It is a time to open up to the mind-blowing, heart-warming, life-changing power of God. The power of God can invade the body, inflate the mind, swell the soul, lift the Spirit and make us more than we ever imagined. It’ll make you young when you’re old, and it’ll make you live even when you die.

The power and presence of the Spirit will disturb, delight, deliver and lift. When God sends forth the Spirit, “the whole face of the earth is renewed” (Psalm 104:30). When God sends forth the Spirit, chaos is changed into creation the Red Sea opens up to a highway of freedom. When God sends forth the Spirit: A young woman says “Yes.” Jesus is born and life is never the same.

When God sends forth the Spirit amazing things happen:

Barriers are broken, communities are formed, opposites are reconciled, unity is established, disease is cured, addiction is broken, cities are renewed, races are reconciled, hope is established, people are blessed, and church happens.

Today the Spirit of God is present and we’re gonna have church. So be ready, get ready…God is up to something…discouraged folks cheer up, dishonest folks ‘fess up, sour folks sweeten up, closed folk, open up, gossipers shut up, conflicted folks make up, sleeping folks wake up, lukewarm folk, fire up, dry bones shake up, and pew potatoes stand up!

But most of all, Christ the Savior of all the world is lifted up.

Are we an audience, or are we a church? Amen?

As always, I invite your comments,

Pastor Cory