About a month ago as I was visiting baptismal candidates with a deacon from the north church, Hollis Francois, and a question arose “What about Sacraments?” I got into an explanation, realizing that many do not use the word in Adventist circles. Our tendency to use the word “ordinance” came from Puritanism, endeavouring to distance ourselves from the concept of mystery attached to sacramentalism. Latin “sacramentum” is a translation of Greek “mysterion” from which we get English “mystery.”
As I reflect on our approach to role and purpose of the Church I find that it is lack of understanding that led many to ignore the fact that there is a Mystery, there is something (and Bible tells us what) takes place in a supernatural realm whenever certain symbols are exercised.
In a couple of weeks both churches will participate again in the quarterly Lord’s Supper. Often we focus on the event happening in the church, neglecting all the shut-ins, those who are not able to come and participate, depriving them of the Mystery, of the Supernatural Miracle of Grace in their lives.
Before anyone accuses me of being a Jesuit Catholic, I invite you to consider that one of our pioneers, Ellen G. White did not hesitate to use the word “sacrament.” In the book “Desire of Ages” she repeatedly uses the term in its full meaning of mystery by phrases “partaking of the sacrament” “administration of the Sacrament” “ministration of the sacrament is commemorative.”
On November 6 this year a new book will be released. I had a glimpse preview of the first 36 pages “Trinitarian Spirituality.” Sometime in November I will have a special seminar presenting balanced Spirituality development, and I am excited to see that the Sacramental Spirituality is one of 9 “antennas” that connect us with God.
As I often say, the word “attitude” is best interpreted as the “tune of the spirit.” Our attitude reflects which spirit we are tuned into – the spirit of the world, the spirit of lie, the spirit of materialism, or the Spirit of God, Holy Spirit. Attitude of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control sounds loud when our “antennae” are turned to the Holy Spirit.
As we come to celebrate the Lord’s Supper on October 3rd we invite you to tune your spirit in advance to the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16) preparing to experience the sacred Mystery of God’s Grace, as we remember and proclaim our faith in Soon Coming Lord Jesus!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
CHURCH AS THE FAMILY OF GOD. Part 6.
This is my last blog for both churches together. For the past month I was sharing with you Biblical perspective on the Church as the Family of God. We’ve considered that in the Family following things take place:
• Members take care of one another,
• Family Spend Time Together,
• Family members Show One Another Affection,
• Family Grows!
• Family members share responsibilities.
(If you missed the bulletin, you could read past issues on-line: www.adventistlondon.ca/files/pastorpage/2009/archive2009.html
Today I invite you to consider the reason why: In all we do we want to reflect God. Because we are made in the likeness and image of God, we are only fully human when we are living in community, as the Triune God is in everlasting reciprocal relationship.
A Church that is hierarchically structured, or that relegates its fellowship to a weekly religious service violates the spiritual reality of the Trinity. Our understanding of the Godhead shapes our understanding of the Church. Ancient Christians, when describing their understanding of the Trinity, used a word perichoresis, which can be only translated as an “eternal circle dance,” where the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are continually and constantly fellowship together, and the Church has been introduced into this divine chorus too, as the Body of Christ on earth.
Tragically, because we tried to arrange the church as secular organizations for so long, we’ve been conditioned to take wrong steps in this fellowship. When you think of the church as a loving household, not a business, as a corporate expression of Jesus Christ, and not a religious corporation, consider these “dance” steps:
Interdependence instead of independence
Wholeness instead of fragmentation
Participation instead of spectatorship
Connectedness instead of isolation
Relationship instead of programs
Servitude instead of dominance
Enrichment instead of insecurity
Freedom instead of bondage
Community instead of corporation
• Members take care of one another,
• Family Spend Time Together,
• Family members Show One Another Affection,
• Family Grows!
• Family members share responsibilities.
(If you missed the bulletin, you could read past issues on-line: www.adventistlondon.ca/files/pastorpage/2009/archive2009.html
Today I invite you to consider the reason why: In all we do we want to reflect God. Because we are made in the likeness and image of God, we are only fully human when we are living in community, as the Triune God is in everlasting reciprocal relationship.
A Church that is hierarchically structured, or that relegates its fellowship to a weekly religious service violates the spiritual reality of the Trinity. Our understanding of the Godhead shapes our understanding of the Church. Ancient Christians, when describing their understanding of the Trinity, used a word perichoresis, which can be only translated as an “eternal circle dance,” where the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are continually and constantly fellowship together, and the Church has been introduced into this divine chorus too, as the Body of Christ on earth.
Tragically, because we tried to arrange the church as secular organizations for so long, we’ve been conditioned to take wrong steps in this fellowship. When you think of the church as a loving household, not a business, as a corporate expression of Jesus Christ, and not a religious corporation, consider these “dance” steps:
Interdependence instead of independence
Wholeness instead of fragmentation
Participation instead of spectatorship
Connectedness instead of isolation
Relationship instead of programs
Servitude instead of dominance
Enrichment instead of insecurity
Freedom instead of bondage
Community instead of corporation
Saturday, September 5, 2009
CHURCH AS THE FAMILY OF GOD. Part 5
There is one thing that happens in every family – members share responsibility. Each member of the family has a different role. We don’t ask toddlers to go and earn a living. The grandparents, the father, the mother, the children, infants – everyone has a role, and it works together for the good of the whole family.
In our recent Sabbath School we looked at the advice given by apostle John – different to the fathers, different to the young man, different to children (1st John 2:13-14). If you look at the church through a different metaphor – the Body – each member, the eyes, ears, hands, feet, has a different function.
In a dysfunctional family the members do not carry their responsibilities. Parents either neglect their children or worship them, not giving them training, comfort and guidance.
The household of God is a functional family, for the Holy Spirit distributes functions as he pleases. There are older men and women who have know the Lord for a long time, and whose responsibility is to mentor younger brothers and sisters. These responsibilities are not positional or hierarchical, but organic, and they operate by the respect of spiritual life.
The young generation bring excitement and strength, they inject zeal and energy, as older generation provides stability.
Consider your role, your function in our Church Family. Are you functioning according to the place God has for you? If you are newborn believer – are you listening obediently to advice and discipline? If you have grown in the Lord – are you mentoring others? Discover your calling!
In our recent Sabbath School we looked at the advice given by apostle John – different to the fathers, different to the young man, different to children (1st John 2:13-14). If you look at the church through a different metaphor – the Body – each member, the eyes, ears, hands, feet, has a different function.
In a dysfunctional family the members do not carry their responsibilities. Parents either neglect their children or worship them, not giving them training, comfort and guidance.
The household of God is a functional family, for the Holy Spirit distributes functions as he pleases. There are older men and women who have know the Lord for a long time, and whose responsibility is to mentor younger brothers and sisters. These responsibilities are not positional or hierarchical, but organic, and they operate by the respect of spiritual life.
The young generation bring excitement and strength, they inject zeal and energy, as older generation provides stability.
Consider your role, your function in our Church Family. Are you functioning according to the place God has for you? If you are newborn believer – are you listening obediently to advice and discipline? If you have grown in the Lord – are you mentoring others? Discover your calling!
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