Thoughts from Our Senior Minister
Rev. David Clifford
I have been thinking quite a bit about spiritual growth and deepening our discipleship with Christ. Through some of the various conversations our leadership is having and the work Jada and I have been doing with the Monday Morning Preacher Podcast, lately I’ve found myself in a number of discussions about various spiritual things and how we might grow in those particular areas of our lives. While we’ve talked a lot of about growth through these conversations, I’ve also been thinking about what holds us back. What are the things that actively keep us from taking the steps needed to grow in our faith?
I’m sure there are a number of different answers depending upon our personalities and our own individual demons that we each must overcome. However, I would like to highlight one that I particularly struggle with and I’m sure others do as well. For me, the need to be perfect before God actually keeps me from working on my spirituality and faith in Christ. Don’t get me wrong. I know beyond a shadow of any doubt at all that I am not perfect (in fact, I’m reminded daily). However, there is a small part of something inside of me that attempts to convince me that because of God’s perfect nature, nothing less is acceptable.
The academic and theological side of me knows that to be perfect is an impossibility. I know, through my faith that Christ does not expect perfection. In fact, I’m not sure we would need Christ if it was possible to be perfect. The grace we find in Christ comes from the reality of our imperfection. And yet, many of us are still striving for perfection. We don’t read the scriptures, because we don’t perfectly understand them. We don’t turn to God in prayer more often because we can’t pray as perfectly as the preacher or the Elder. We find ourselves turning to God less and less because we don’t feel worthy of God due to our imperfections.
My point is this: no one is perfect. God does not require perfection from us. God requires faith: a relationship with the creator. Through the grace and mercy poured out upon us by Christ and the Holy Spirit, we find ourselves in a relationship of love and salvation. The desire of perfection actually hinders that relationship. If we were to wait until we are perfect, we would never turn to God. Stop trying to be perfect for God or anyone else. It is impossible. Stop expecting perfection from those around you. I invite all who struggle with this same dilemma to join me in confessing our desire for perfection to Christ. I believe God will wipe this need from us. May we have the courage to move forward with the Holy Spirit without needing to be perfect. Amen.
Peace Always,
Rev. David Clifford
Book Review: A Bridge in Babylon: Stories of a Military Chaplain in Iraq
By Barbara Kammerlohr
The stories are about struggles to hold onto faith and hope in the midst of battlefields and the plight of young soldiers shattered by that experience. This was his challenge as a chaplain, to help young men and women trained to be efficient killers stay in touch with the God who asks us all to love our enemies. He asks readers to consider that “the loneliness, lack of intimacy and the destructive sexual habits of military men and women destroy the soul more pervasively and as lastingly as bodily harm.”
In spite of the seriousness of the subject matter, the stories are full of humor. My favorite was of Chandler’s encounter in a shower house shortly after he arrived in Iraq. Focusing on his business with the urinal in front of him, he panicked when a young woman greeted him warmly as she exited a shower stall wrapped loosely in a towel and began getting dressed. His description of fleeing from that building was hilarious. His humility in reflecting on his lack of understanding of other valid cultures was thought provoking.
But A Bridge in Babylon is much more than stories of war to members of this congregation. Chandler’s parents, Rick and Judy Chandler, raised young Owen in this church. The seeds of his deep spirituality took root here. Owen was ordained in our church on October 28, 2006. Rick and Judy are still active members of First Christian Church. In A Bridge to Babylon, his former Sunday School teachers, youth group workers and camp counselors have the rare opportunity to see the maturation of a faith in a young boy they saw grow up in their midst. This mature man now has much to teach them; the tables are turned.
The book is also full of Chandler’s reactions to what he encountered in the military and in Iraq. And those reactions reflect a man who struggles, most often with success, to share the love of God and a practical spirituality with those with whom he interacts, family, friends, fellow soldiers. He is a humble man who thinks deeply about his actions and mission in life. This is no longer the youngster who left Henderson for college and later seminary. He has worked so long with God to perfect his faith that he himself has been transformed forever. It is a book worth reading if only for that insight.
October Meetings/Events/News
- The Christian Women’s Fellowship Fall rummage sale was a huge success! Thanks to all the ladies whose hard work paid off. They had over 150 people walk through our doors. The funds will be used for mission work. The Christmas bazaar is scheduled for November 7. They look forward to seeing all who can come in November to our Christmas bazaar.
- The Elders are collecting Sureway stamps for their Thanksgiving Basket. They are also asking for can good to put in the baskets. If you have stamps or can goods (stuffing mix) you would like to donate you can drop them off at the office or put them in the container in the narthex on Sunday.
- The Nominating Committee met Tuesday October 4 at 4:15 pm, The slate will be presented to the congregation in November.
- The Christian Women’s Fellowship will be collecting boxed stuffing during the month of October for the Christian Community Outreach’s food bank.
- Commodities are delivered on the Wednesday after the second Tuesday of each month. If anyone would be interested in helping out in this ministry, please contact the church office. The helpers usually start at 8:00 a.m. and are done by 10:00 a.m. This month’s date is October 13.
- In the latest episode of The Monday Morning Preacher Podcast, Rev. David and Jada invite Barbara Chaney and Jeanne Marie Gadient (leaders of the First Christian Prayer Group) to share in some conversation about prayer: MMP Podcast: Episode 4: Prayer
- The CMF will hold their Fall Boston Butt sale on Saturday, October 23. The cost for the Boston Butts will be $30 each. Tickets will be available through any CMF or at the church office. The money raised helps support the various outreach ministries of our CMF.
- The Senior Saints will meet on October 26 for a luncheon at Cates Farm. We plan on meeting at the church and carpooling to Amy’s at 11:00 that morning. We will eat around noon and the cost is $10.00 per person. Reservations need to be made by Wednesday, October 20. Please call church office or Evina to reserve a spot.
Want to Share your Gardening Skills?
We Need a Volunteer
The small garden on the Chestnut entrance to the parking lot needs a new caretaker. For seven years or more, Jeanne Marie Gadient and Odell Watson have tended the plants and shade tree that welcome worshipers and other visitors to the church grounds. Prior to that, Roy Dorsey shared his gardening skills by tending the small green space for many years—so many that no one really knows the number. Now it is time for a new care taker. If you have garden skills you can share with the congregation, call the church office. It will be greatly appreciated (photos by Jeanne Marie Gadient)
Sprinkles of Joy
Debbie Enyart and CWF workers were taken aback by how many people came in for the rummage sale. It was not just the numbers, but their appreciation and attitude of peacefulness that made for a wonderful, “feel good day”.
