There are a few new pastors in Elgin County… a big welcome to you and thank you for your investment in our community.
Pastor Len Hjalmarson is one of the recent arrivals. He moved with his wife Betty from the West coast to step into the role of lead pastor at the Aylmer EMMC. Pastor Len is a prolific reader/blogger and has authored a few books. He posted this quote on his blog, http://nextreformation.com a few days ago and it’s been rattling around in my brain.
“How is it possible that the gospel should be credible, that people should come to believe that the power which has the last word in human affairs is represented by a man hanging on a cross? I am suggesting that the only answer, the only hermeneutic of the gospel, is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live it.” (Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, 227.)
Newbigin is right, of course. There are few things more compelling and powerful than a group of people who believes and lives out the Gospel. It comes down to individuals, though - you and me – living what we say we believe. The question that immediately comes up is, “To what extent do I do that?”
It only takes a tiny bit of self-reflection to realize a gap exists. It’s a pretty big gap. The longer I’m on this journey of faith, the more I am aware of the gap. It’s only by the grace and mercy of God, by the forgiveness, reconciliation & restoration obtained by the man on the cross, that I’m able to continue on the journey – safely and gratefully belonging to Him while stumbling along, making attempts to narrow the gap.
Phil Yancey says this: “Grace does not depend on what we have done for God but rather what God has done for us. Ask people what they must do to get to heaven and most reply, “Be good.” Jesus’ stories contradict that answer. All we must do is cry, “Help!” (Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace? pg 55.)
This seems to be my only prayer so often: “Help!”
I’ve come to the conclusion there is a great deal to be said for knowing who to thank and who to cry out to help for.
I look forward to what Len and his wife Betty will bring to that community as they ignite in other the passion that they have for reaching out to, and meeting the needs of, the poor and the needy.
“He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD.
Jer. 22:16
Good blog. Thanks.