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Grace and Peace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I hope and pray that this letter finds you healthy and well in these trying times. I know that in these last 9 months we have face trials and tribulations with many facets, including the global warming that burned though the west and left miles of devastation in its quake, and the unending racial divisions in our country among people of color and national origin. We were further divided as a nation by our political beliefs and differences, which poised a violent disposition in itself on January 6, while congress certified the results of the Presidential Election.
To top things off, the United Methodist Church has continued to honor those who want to split from the UMC by forming their own denomination. The Liberation Methodist and the WCA Wesleyan Covenant Association. So, where do we go from here dear fellow Christians?
As a Pastor in the United Methodist church, my concern is the well being of our local church as it pertains to doing God’s Will in our community, and in the world. Yes, those issues are certainly important, but these items should be put in perspective for a concerned debate, not a Holy division (Just My Opinion).
We have plenty to be concerned about in the coming year. How will we continue to worship with the COVID-19 pandemic and its variances still among us? How will we accept people in our congregation regardless of who they are? How will we build up the body of Christ, baptizing all in the Name of Jesus? Will the church be able to accept all who come through the doors at Garden City First? How will we co-exist with the Special Needs community that worships on Saturdays? How will we feed the many who lost their jobs, and whose families are struggling to afford food and housing?
I think we need to take pages from the Gospels of Jesus Christ, and use them to rededicate ourselves to the ministry. John Wesley said “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
Jesus said in Matthew 28: 19-20 “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is our work before us, this is how we must conduct ourselves; this is who we are and this is what we must focus on. This is the year in which we will truly overcome and be the church for the people of God!
Praise God for our Journey!
Pastor Combs