Like me, you may wonder at times about the future of our faith community, indeed the future of many mainstream churches. The sale of assets and closure of congregations seems to dominate our focus at times. Consequently, there are some suggesting today’s generation has no interest in spiritual matters or being part of a faith community. I respectfully disagree. I see many examples across all age groups of the search for meaning, for a connection to community and searching for a sense of purpose in God’s creation. It does, however, seem evident many folks are choosing not to live out this quest in a traditional church setting. Given this, what matters most in our witness as a faith community today?
“Community of Christ, your name, given as a divine blessing, is your identity and calling. If you will discern and embrace its full meaning, you will not only discover your future, you will become a blessing to the whole of creation. Do not be afraid to go where it beckons you to go.” (Doctrine and Covenants Section 163: vs 1)
For me, the scripture above provides an insight for us. The central invitation of our Christian faith is surely to live in sacred relationship with God and one another as witnessed in the life of Christ. I am increasingly persuaded our name, Community of Christ, points the way to the future. We are invited into a variety of sacred relationships that bring purpose, meaning and blessing in the spirit of Christ, not bureaucratic demands of the institution that so often seem to consume us. Everything we do should be directed to this end.
Here in Perth, I continue to see God at work in the various communities served by our Woodlands facility and congregation. Our Sunday worships and congregational life is sacred. We continue to lift up the importance of public worship, pastoral care, and the sacraments, and we encourage one another in our discipleship. We are also blessed to have non-members choosing to attend regularly.
For me and others involved, our Food Pantry is a sacred community where a dozen volunteers work tirelessly with Sonya, our coordinator, to offer food, welcome and support to an increasing number of patrons, including the homeless. Personal stories of faith and blessing are shared regularly. The WA Show Choir, of which I am a member, leases our chapel every Thursday night. It’s a sacred community where we experience the spiritual connection that comes from sharing the gift of music. On a couple of occasions, the choir has provided food and financial support to our Food Pantry, and one member volunteers there every week. Two members also help deliver food to support a chaplaincy breakfast club at the local Primary School opposite our church.
Our annual Easter camp is sacred, and a number of younger adults and families who don’t always attend regular Sunday worships will attend this event without fail. Our connection to other denominations in the local area supporting the work of school chaplains is sacred too. Our committee of over a dozen denominations often reflects on the joy we all experience in working together to support the pastoral care chaplains provide in our school communities.
Let me be clear however. We have our own challenges and uncertainties about our future here in Perth! But I have glimpsed something of the promise of the earlier scripture as we experience the essential meaning of sacred community, and how our denomination can bring Christ centred blessing to the wider community. As we expand our connections and demonstrate Christ’s mission is important to us, we find people want to get involved. There are many ‘communities of Christ’ being experienced through these connections and folks are keen to know more and volunteer to help.
I am persuaded our witness is best focused on the needs in our local communities every day, wherever we are. In this process we are moved beyond ‘doing church’ on Sunday morning to engaging in ministries that connect people from all walks of life to God and sacred community. I am reminded of the parable of the sower, inviting us to keep sowing the seed, understanding the seeds fall on all types of different soils, but some will take root and bear fruit! That won’t happen unless we keep sowing the seed! While our activities and ministries might vary over time, I remain hopeful the witness of Community of Christ will live on if we embrace its full meaning!
Peter Lonsdale
Perth Congregation.