Love One Another

5/8

We are excited!  The field is narrowing!  The PNC is interviewing top candidates and recently met with three pastors, 2 men and one woman.  Soon, the PNC will select one pastor to present to the congregation for a vote.  Throughout this process, we’ve seen God at work among the PNC members and through the candidates.  We continually seek Gods guidance and believe he has already chosen the right pastor for us.  As the PNC prayerfully considers who God is calling to lead Trinity into the next chapter of ministry, we again ask for your respect for confidentiality and for your prayers as we continue in our search.

Now, let’s focus on us.  Are we the same congregation we were last year, five years ago, or ten years ago? Times have changed, things have changed, we have changed since we called our last pastor. What do those changes mean for the calling of a new pastor? What is different now? How has our Church felt the changes? Are we more open as a congregation to see the gifts of a candidate we may not have considered so seriously before?

Please listen to the scripture as taken from Ephesians 4:25-32
“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer…. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth…. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption… Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Interestingly, the word “love” is not found in that passage. Listen now for your word or words that you shared with us a few weeks ago.

Love is something we do.  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.   (1 Corinthians 13:7)

So, what does love in a congregation do? It creates hope, promotes healing, unity, and harmony.  Love tells the truth, controls its anger, speaks kindly, is kind, sweet-spirited, and forgiving.

Turn it around, then, and ask, “When love is missing, what can we find?”  We find Lies, anger, harshness, ugliness, and lack of forgiveness. People in the congregation may sometimes put their personal ideas, thoughts, and motives above what is best for the congregation. This lack of love for one another reveals itself through church splits, lack of loyalty, shunning those who disagree, turning on one another over insignificant reasons, etc.

All of these bring our ministry to a grinding halt.  Let’s keep in mind what our mission is: As the body of Christ, we are a people of faith called to represent Christ in our community and world. We are committed to growing in faithfulness to God by engaging in joyful worship, exciting learning, supportive fellowship and faithful service

Know that nothing that has happened here at Trinity is a surprise to God; He has allowed it as a way to accomplish His divine will and purposes.  He guided you in choosing that one word that you feel best describes our future.  Trust more, judge less, let go and let God.

Decide here today, right now that we are going to love one another and our new pastor. Get ready-be excited-Share, grow, heal, have faith, and Love