IMAGE PROJECTION

I Was Just Thinking About – IMAGE PROJECTION.

How many times do you attend a Church Service and a word or phrase you heard keeps resonating with you? How much do you actually hear and retain? When my wife and I recently attended a Church Service, a Ruling Elder gave a brief homily in which he said: “We have an image problem. It is a negative image.” Wow! How many people heard those words? How many responded to it by a commitment to do what they could to change the negative into a positive image? So far, as best as we can observe, those words have been either forgotten or are being ignored.

I’ve been involved in various churches most of my life. In a few weeks, I will begin my fifty-sixth year in ministry. There are certain phrases used my people in the churches that are incorrect. Some Pastors refer to the church congregants as “my people.” In actuality, they are God’s sheep and the Pastor is an under-shepherd of The Good Shepherd who laid down His life for HIS sheep. In other cases, church “leaders” have fallen into a habit of referring to a local church as “my” or “our” church. What that misses is the fact that those are not the words of Jesus.

Jesus refers to the church as “MY Church” (Matthew 16:18). He refers to the congregants as “MY sheep” listen to “MY voice” and they follow “ME” (John 10:27). When The One who referred to “MY Church” and “MY sheep” went on to say two important facts that can turn a negative image into more of a positive image. First, Jesus said, all power is given to “ME” – “GO” and make disciples in all the nations” (Matthew 28:17-18). Second,  Jesus said, you will receive “MY power” and you shall be “My witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

I could reference the several passages that instruct one to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ in all areas of one’s life and practice. The church today needs to use a template of Revelation 2 and 3 in terms of what the Head of the Church expects HIS Church and HIS people to do and be. The said fact is that a church can agree with that template theoretically but be dismissive of it at the same time because of self-indulgent “leaders” who want it “their way” rather that GOD’S way.

I read a devotional this morning that reminds the Church in a very practical way what it can determine to be by God’s grace. The writer indicated the Church must exhibit the presence of God: “So what would a church have to do to display the presence of God? Its people would have to live like Him! Dynamics like hospitality, the loving acceptance of all kinds of people, a quickness to serve, a tangible love for one another that makes people feel safe and included regardless of color or class, and a patient tolerance of one another’s weaknesses would all be a great way to start. Paul said we should walk in a manner “worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10). And he also said that being worthy means that we will be humble, gentle, bearing with one another in love, eagerly maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3). Let’s live in such a way that others will experience the presence of the God who lives in us—wherever we are, but especially at church. Those who walk with Christ bring the presence of God to everyone around them.”

Does this describe the “MY CHURCH” that Jesus expects and requires? Does it describe how the “MY SHEEP” hear and respond to The Good Shepherd? If not now – when? If not here – where? If not you – who?

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.