"What is the Church's Business?"

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Sermon preached by the Rev. Dr. George Vais

Ezekiel 2: 1-5

Psalm 14

Ephesians 4:1-16

One can argue that September 16^th is just another day on the calendar; but you and I know that September 16^th is more than that. It’s a date which marks the opening of another chapter in the life of this 177 year old congregation. As we begin the writing of this new chapter, may I humbly suggest to you that the question we ought to be asking is none other than - "What is the Church’s business"?

The New Testament is full of illustrations when it comes to the task of an individual Christian and the function of the Church. Our second lesson this morning has to be one of my favourites when it comes to what you and I are all about.

In that familiar passage to the Christians in the city of Ephesus, the writer pointed out that some of us in the Church have been given special gifts.

According to some theologians the phrase "some of us" refers to the clergy; according to others, the reference is to the entire Christian community. The whole thing depends on our view of ministry. I happen to think that the phrase "some of us" refers to all of us in the Church. Some of us in this Church have been given special gifts.

In the next few minutes, I am going to identify these gifts and then ask - what do we do with them?

"He", that is Jesus, "appointed some to be apostles..."

These are individuals who go about their ministry in such a way that it becomes obvious to those around them that they are motivated by, they represent, they are acting on behalf of a higher power. They are under orders, God’s Spirit is at work in them, they have been commissioned to say something... to do something... to go places... They have a mission in life, and they are busy at it. That’s what it means to be an "apostle".

Contrary to public opinion, these are individuals who have the gift of sharing good news. That’s what the word "evangelist" means. When they see problems, they think of opportunities. When they witness sin in its many forms, they think of salvation. When they come to dead ends, they see resurrections. When they see a drinking glass, it’s never half empty, it’s always half full. That’s an evangelist for you and our Church needs them badly.

The same Lord "appointed others to be prophets..."

A prophet is a person who has something to say. What he or she has to say is significant not only for the present moment, but also for the future. To be prophetic then, is to say something now that has far reaching implications.

This is known today as the gift of leadership. The ability to capture concepts, to be visionary, to have a sense of direction. The ability to know where people are and what their potential is for ministry. The ability to know how to shape, but also to be shaped by those who follow. That's a pastor for you. That's a leader for you.

The last but not the least gift on this short list is that of teaching -"He appointed others to be teachers".

I don't know about you, but I admire people who possess the gift of teaching. They get a hold of a theory a truth, a principle and have the ability to unfold it, and explain it so that even I can understand it.

And now we come to the key part of the passage - "He did this... to prepare all God's people for the work of Christian service."

You see, God has not graced us with special gifts in order that we may make a name for ourselves, lord it over others and feel good about ourselves. You and I have been given a particular gift in order that we may prepare and encourage others to do their part, to do their ministry.

In a nutshell, this is the Church's business. We design buildings and furnish them - some are old and others very new, some are ornate others are simple, we conduct worship services, we sponsor study groups and offer seminars,, we train people, we involve people in all sorts of activities in order that you the people of God may be "the light of the world" "the salt of the earth" and "ferment in our communities", as our Lord put.

Someone asked a minister - "Where is your Church?" Instead of giving the Church's location, [which the questioner expected], he said, let's see, it's now 10 o'clock and this is Monday morning. Some are having coffee with their neighbours, others are working on assembly lines; some are in their offices, others are making decisions in boardrooms; some are teaching/lecturing in classrooms, others are taking classes; some are involved in the helping services, others are in the building business.

That's the Church's task - to gather for a short time - to hear good news, to encourage one another, to consult with one another, to build community, and then scatter all over God’s creation where we live, work and socialize to do some kingdom building.

When I left one parish to serve another parish, I aksed a friend of mine - what should be the thrust of my ministry as I begin my new assignment? This is what he said to me - Challenge them, encourage them, and show them how to perform their ministry where they are. I have taken his words to heart and with God’s help I have never had to look back.

You and I are not here to build little empires, we are here at this time and in this place to build up the kingdom of God, "not with swords loud clashing", as the hymn writer puts it, but "with deeds of love and mercy", that’s how God’s Kingdom becomes a reality in our in our midst.

I leave you with the words of Archbishop William Temple. "The Church is the only society in the world which exists for its non members." Only when we factor this in your plans for the future will God bless us and make us a blessing.