One More Thing…
The Seven Principles of Christian Nonconformity
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12.2, CSB)
“Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
To follow Christ daily in life requires 1) a sense of journey; 2) a sense of being together; and 3) allowing Jesus to lead the community.
We might want to think that here in the Glen, not much ever changes. I suppose that depends on your timescale. Soon, Lord willing, the sharp and icy gales of winter will give way to change – and we will feel the soft warm breezes of spring bringing the hard ground back to bloom. We can look back 275 years ago to when Blooming Glen Mennonite Church was new, and we would immediately notice that the week-to-week practices of congregational life were very different than what we experience today.
Bob Dylan was right 61 years ago when he penned the words, “The times, they are a-changin’.” The journey of discipleship takes us on a route that is full of change – whether we see it or not.
But in the midst of changing times, there is one constant – one north star – that guides us on the journey. His name is Jesus. Without Jesus, there is no community. Without community there is no discipleship. Without discipleship there is no recognition of God’s gracious faithfulness.
So, in the journey of faith, we saddle up, not in search of Jesus, but to be led by Jesus who is always faithfully present. Today’s political parties, economic theories, and social strategies are all incomplete and insufficient, and they all ultimately fail to provide ultimate answers. There are no golden ages of our own making. Only Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And his plea to his followers: Love God with everything you’ve got. Love your neighbor as yourself. And when we ask, as we always will, “who’s my neighbor?" we will likely be confronted with the hard truth that our neighbor is the widow, the orphan, the poor, and newcomer.
So, let’s go, church (and follow Jesus together to love God and our neighbor),
Pastor Jeff
jeff@bgmc.net
P.S. Listening to one another happens at the A&N Diner Monday, February 3 (7:30am-8:45am), and at the Broad Street Grind, Friday, February 7 (3:30pm-4:45pm). Come join us, there’s always room for more.