If you look at the right hand side of this blog, you will see a picture of MARTIN LUTHER. As we approach the last Sunday in October, we prepare to observe what has traditionally been called REFORMATION SUNDAY. The UCC has given it the title of REFORMATION/RECONCILIATION SUNDAY....
Luther's picture is up there because his actions in Germany in October of 1517 set off the sequences of events that have come to be known collectively as THE REFORMATION. Interestingly enough, this feast day coincides with the end of our religious history series in which we are looking at the current state of religion in these United States. It's also happening as we start our annual Budget deliberations and try to make decisions about our priorities as a congregation.
My Reformation Sunday message next week is entitled ' FUTURE CHURCH'. The fact is that those events in the 16th century were spurred on by a vision ( actually, a variety of visions) of what the church of the future should be. And so I wonder.....
What's your vision of the church of the future? How will or SHOULD it be different from the present or the past? How will or SHOULD it in any way be similar? Is there anything that remains ESSENTIAL about the church regardless of the age in which it exists?
I'd like to start a discussion on this here....Hope you join in!!...
PB
4 comments:
It is wonderful that we have so many ways of worshiping GOD. If I could invision a future way of worship it would incorporate the richness and diversity of so many of our traditions... the drama and ritual of Roman catholicism and Orthodox traditions, worship through art and song and dance. Celebration over a meal and serving together, sharing and learning in bible study, listening to well thought out and delivered sermons. And it would all be based on the inclusivity and love of Christ... yet it would be curious and willing to hear about and learn from other religious faiths. I still feel we have so much more in common despite our divergent ways of worship... our commitment to GOD, justice, service....Exploring other faiths can only serve to strengthen out own...if we are strong in our own faith.
I agree that we have incredible resources in all of these traditions- and sadly, within denominations and churches, we often don't even know it....
PB
Hi, guantanamera121212
не факт
Post a Comment