Dear Liberty Family
Yesterday we celebrated Pentecost Sunday; the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church, giving thanks to God for both things which have changed, and continue to change our lives.
During LOL yesterday I asked the question: 'what do you think of when you think of ‘church’?' I realise that for many people church is a building; a place where people meet to worship God together or do whatever it is that Christians do inside these buildings.
For us, the Liberty Church family, although we would talk of ‘going to church’, (something I know many of us are longing to do again), we make it clear that church is not about buildings, but about people, community, the Liberty family. I do wonder though whether we really grasp the potential and power of the Church. I quoted a passage from Lectio 365 yesterday in my prayer. Allow me to quote it again: We are a 2000 year-old, 2 billion strong revolutionary movement of love. The most culturally and socially diverse community on earth. Day by day we conspire to serve, forgive and create beauty. Around the world we seek to educate, liberate and advocate for those who have no voice. Our gospel has inspired artists from Michelangelo to Aretha Franklin, activists from William Wilberforce to Martin Luther
King, scientists from the physicist Sir Isaac Newton to the geneticist Francis Collins.
When I read these words I want to cry ‘YES’!, and in the midst of this, as I said yesterday, is the presence and power of our amazing God, breathing life on us, in us, and through us by his Holy Spirit. In the midst of lockdown, with all the challenges we face, not least our ability to meet together, we are still the church. His Holy Spirit is still breathing life into us bringing comfort to those who are weary and afraid, strength to the weak, healing to the broken, direction to the lost, hope to the downcast. We have experienced the life transforming power of the gospel and we have a message of hope for our world.
As I said yesterday, I love Liberty Church. I love being a part of this family, supporting and being supported by others. I pray that, even as you read this letter, God would again fill you with his Holy Spirit, and that you would see again the power and beauty of the church, and the calling on your own life within his family.
Much love and virtual hugs,
Jon |