How About The Future?

O artigo abaixo está sendo publicado na revista da Igreja em que sirvo como pastor, na sua edição especial do Jubileu de Ouro da Igreja.

As I write this, I am thinking about the expectation people have of my ministry in St Columba Church for the years ahead. A Presbyterian minister who comes from a different culture, different tradition and different language (and temperature by the way) could bring a new style, relevance, adaptability (or openness to change) and growth for the church. For some, maybe, this could mean the beginning of a new era in St Columba’s history, but for others it could sound the prospect of becoming a non-typical Church of Scotland in the future.

Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Church; he loves her and he “gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27). This means that our central responsibility as Church – today and every day – is to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ, the husband. The aim is to be prepared in holiness, obedience and faithfulness to the God almighty. But what will that mean for us today and tomorrow and in the days that follow?

 If we look at the world situation today: violence, wars, terrorism; considering people’s hearts – many people really far from God – it seems difficult to think about a holy and blameless church today. Because of that, people are concerned about the future of the Church; some want to please the youngsters, others think that the old good tradition is the best thing the church has. In fact, these are honest concerns from many zealous and committed Christians about tomorrow. However the good news is that God the Father, by his amazing grace, is the one who really leads the church. Jesus’ job is to take care of the church because he is her husband. Our job is to listen to the Word of God and put it into practice, applying all its principles and truth in our lives.

How about the future of St Columba Church? We are not really sure about it… no strategy will be effective enough; no human wisdom or clever organisation will transform and/or keep this or any other church energetic and powerful. All we know is that if our joy, as church and people, is fixed in God, the future of this church will be glorious. Only Jesus Christ is able to maintain the church as a spiritual body, approved by God and holy. He sends the church the Holy Spirit, and he speaks through the Spirit using his Word. All we have to do is to keep faithful to him, keep praying and doing our best for the kingdom of God as a result of our faith. No matter where we came from, no matter our culture or tradition.

So let us do our best to have a friendly church, to attract people, but above all to have our focus and task on God and his glory.

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4.2)

Rev. Dráusio Gonçalves