Declaring & Teaching – Jesus is Lord !
John 14:4-6
“And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.
This is a difficult scripture for many, I wonder why that is? It seems so exclusionary, could that be the reason? Jesus also said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” Matthew 10:34–36
How can this be? This doesn’t seem to make sense. As part of the agenda for this past voters meeting, I included an extensive reference to the book of James, but forgot to include the particular book and verse from the Bible. The passage was James, chapters 3 to 5. Here we are told to pray for wisdom and understanding. Every time I read these passages I hope to have a better understanding of what Jesus meant when He said that He is the way, and the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the father except through Him.
Clarification on Member Participation on Boards
There was a question asked at the voters meeting about serving on boards if you are not a voting member. Our constitution indicates that voting members “are entitled to vote and/or hold office according to the provisions provided by this Constitution.” This implies if you are not a voting member then you cannot be elected to a board or office. All board members are eligible to be chair persons and all chair persons are a part of the church council and represent the board and congregation with their vote on various issues at our council meetings. On page 3 of our constitution we have established three distinct types of congregational membership, there are (1) Baptized members, (2) Communicant members, and (3) Voting members.
It seems reasonable that all three member types not just voting members can attend and participate on our boards, they just won’t be voting members of those boards. All church meetings are open meetings and are open to all members. All are encouraged to serve and you can serve by attending and contributing your thoughts and your love to the body of Christ, His church at our various meetings and other activities.
May His Spirit be with us all in this time of growth for our church, sometimes we feel growing pains, and this might be one of those times, but He is faithful.
Blessings,
Tim Grace