A Little Closer to Home

A Little Closer  to Home…

Major changes are planned for this year at Salem UMC.  Churches are just one of many organizations who seem to enjoy throwing out verbiage like the proceeding statement without a lot of thought or energy to back up the statement.  Perhaps it helps us think about the future in positive terms.  Perhaps it allows us to consider creative resolutions to current situations experiencing little or no advancement toward our stated goal.  Perhaps we just like to hear ourselves talk.  

So, what would God say are some of the major changes taking place this summer here at Salem UMC?  
What is the Father, creator of the earth, looking forward to with hopeful excitement?  About what would Jesus Christ, our savior and redeemer who took our sin and offered life in place of death be daily checking the church website for new information?  For what is the Holy Spirit, the advocate given to remind us of everything and comfort us at all times, on the edge of busting forth with loud hosannas?  My guess is that the things we in the church are listing as major changes might only make the “B List” in the Kingdom of Heaven.

     Perhaps things like new and expanded worship services birthed through a deep searching of our need to be creative and fresh in our humble praise and adoration of God would only bring a slight glance.  Perhaps renewed focus on the construction of the Manna Center will bring a sigh or a nervous cough.  I wonder if listing and working through a list of our priorities and goals will move heaven to tears?  Will a new sign, or a focus on where we have the drum set on the chancel, or a change in role of the choirs and music groups make God’s top ten changes?

     My best guess is that the major changes this year at Salem for which Heaven will applaud will be things more like these.  Another child is fed supper by a young single mother striving to make ends meet.  A husband finds the strength and support to end his abuse of pornography and begins to repair the relationship with his wife and family.  A woman finds grace and ends her lifelong destructive relationship with food.  A hand is held.  A meal is shared.  A prayer is offered.  A new life begins from the ashes of sin and shame.  The water of baptism is offered.  The cup and bread are received by a hurting world.   With humble tears in our eyes the church acts like the body of Christ and loves the unlovable and in the process redeems another soul, now bound for glory.

     When I stop to think about it, great things, yes even major changes are taking place here at Salem UMC this year.  And you are front row and center to all God is unfolding and offering.  I can not wait.    

See You Sunday,   Dave Weesner