February 2023

 The pamphlet from the NACCC describing what a Congregational Church is says the attitude of the Congregational Christian Churches toward daily life is determined by the fundamental principle of freedom of conscience. We have no book of discipline or rules save the Bible. Because of this attitude toward freedom of conscience under Christ many feel welcomed in our churches As we go through scripture we can see this attribute is demonstrated over and over by our Savior Jesus Christ. When the adulteress was brought to him, he didn't condemn her. When the blind man called out to him from the side of the road, he reached out and aided him. When the sinner washed his feet with her tears, he didn't push her away. When the bleeding woman touched his robe, he didn't say "How dare you come to me." When the tax collector climbed a tree to see him, Jesus didn't pass by and dismiss him, he called him down to eat at his house. When the Centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant, Jesus didn't say "You aren't of me, you can't come to me." As Congregationalists the Bible is our book of discipline. As Congregationalists we embrace the example of Jesus as described in the Bible and we pattern our church and our lives after it. We admit like the adulteress, we are sinners in need of Christ. When others like the blind man are desperate and reach out for aide, we love them as Jesus loves us and we reach out. When an unrepentant sinner comes to our fellowship we don't push them out the door; like Jesus did with the hemorrhaging woman, we give of ourselves in order that they may come to know our Lord and join us in a redeeming relationship with Christ. As with the tax collectori as we go through our lives we don't push those we consider sinners away, we go to them with a desire to know them and a desire to introduce Jesus to them. And like with the Centurion, when someone who is from a different faith, someone from a different background, someone who lives differently then we do, we don't tell them you aren't welcome here, we welcome them for who they are and as they are in the name and love of Jesus. Only by doing these things can we plant the seeds that the Holy Spirit can develop into saving faith. As Congregationalists we know everyone is on their own path with Jesus. Anyone who wants to further their walk with our Lord, anyone who has a desire to know our Lord, anyone who is broken and in need of our Lord is welcome. Our churches may conduct their services differently from each other but the fundamental truth in all of them is there is one God who created all existence, there is one Jesus, Son of Almighty God who came to earth and died on the cross for our sins and was raised three days later, there is one Holy Spirit sent out by God to teach, to aide and to bless. "My church is not a building although we often meet therein. My church is not an organization, although it is well organized. lt is not a company of people who hold to a particular set of beliefs, although it stands for great convictiong. My church is a living church. lt places the emphasis where Jesus placed it; on ministering to others and on daily living." (Henry David Gray * NACCC) Pastor Jim