conflict and separation

Good afternoon friends,
Today's passage will also be a focus for us on Sunday. We've seen Paul and Barnabas working together for years. In this passage they have a conflict about who to take with them in ministry. The conflict is such an issue that they decide to go their separate ways. I think that must have been hard for both of them, but they both felt strongly about what they were doing so they had to follow their conviction. Conflict is an inevitable part of relationship; the question is how we address it.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 15:30-41

30 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch. When they gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. ³¹When its members read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. ³²Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. ³³After they had been there for some time, they were sent off in peace by the believers to those who had sent them. ³⁵But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and there, with many others, they taught and proclaimed the word of the Lord.

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Come, let us return and visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’ ³⁷Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. ³⁸But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. ³⁹The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. ⁴⁰But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers commending him to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

family feud

Good morning friends,
In our reading today Jesus continues to warn his disciples that they will face challenges even from friends and the religious community they hold dear because of following Christ. Faithfulness isn't always easy. At our presbytery meeting yesterday one of our congregations, Bergen First Presbyterian Church, followed a calling they have long felt from God to leave the PC(USA). Sometimes following our call leads us away from what we have known. It was a sad moment, something like a divorce, because folks who have been linked by denomination for years are going a different way.

It was sad, and also joyful, because now both that congregation and the presbytery feel like they are following their call the right way. There is not always an obvious line that leads safely from here to our savior's call, but we are called and we can follow. We are not alone, and God is working with our church, our presbytery, our denomination and with the Bergen Presbyterian Church as they go their separate way, still serving God. Please keep our presbytery, denomination and the Bergen church in prayer for God's grace and guidance. Also, keep praying for you and for our congregation for that same guidance. God is doing something through each of us and through us together.

God bless,
Sam

John 16:1-6

”I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. ²They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. ³And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. ⁴But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. ⁵But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ ⁶But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts.

one in Christ

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Today's reading is a slight departure from our usual pattern. We're reading an excerpt from the Presbyterian Church's constitution, in particular from our Form of Government. The Presbyterian Church (USA) has a beautiful constitution, but at times it is challenging to read because it is somewhat dense. Today's reading talks about how the church is one church even though that doesn't always seem to be the place. Because we believe we are all one church through Jesus Christ, we are called to work for greater unity in the church. One way we do that at Laurelton is through our local ecumenical association, the North East Church Cluster. With this group of Christians from different denominations we will celebrate a service for Christian Unity in January.

Blessings today,
Sam

PC(USA) Form of Government F-1.0302 a.

Unity is God’s gift to the Church in Jesus Christ. Just as God is one God and Jesus Christ is our one Savior, so the Church is one because it belongs to its one Lord, Jesus Christ. The Church seeks to include all people and is never content to enjoy the benefits of Christian community for itself alone. There is one Church, for there is one Spirit, one hope, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:5–6).

Because in Christ the Church is one, it strives to be one. To be one with Christ is to be joined with all those whom Christ calls into relationship with him. To be thus joined with one another is to become priests for one another, praying for the world and for one another and sharing the various gifts God has given to each Christian for the benefit of the whole community. Division into different denominations obscures but does not destroy unity in Christ. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), affirming its historical continuity with the whole Church of Jesus Christ, is committed to the reduction of that obscurity, and is willing to seek and to deepen communion with all other churches within the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

ordination and challenging scripture

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Before we dive into our reading, I'd like to share some important Presbyterian news. For 33 years our denomination has been discussing the ordination of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. For many years the church has had a policy of not ordaining GLBT folks to office as elders, deacons or ministers of word and sacrament. Last summer's general assembly passed an amendment that would open the way to ordain openly gay candidates (amendment 10 A: text of the amendment is here). Last night the 87th presbytery approved this change marking a majority and the adoption of the amendment. I am grateful for this change because it reflects the inclusive spirit we see in Jesus' ministry. At the same time, for many of our churches and for many other Presbyterians this change is not welcome. Please keep our larger church in prayer as we seek to love each other despite our differences. The denominational office sent out an excellent letter on this topic which is linked here.

This is a difficult reading for most of us. What I take away from the passage is that both men and women should treat each other with honor and respect. In the case of people married to someone who doesn't follow Jesus, the way to encourage them in faith is through love and kindness, not harassing them about their faith. The other thing I take away is that all people (not just women) should strive for righteous lives rather than outward beauty and material possessions. When Peter talks about wanting nothing to hinder our prayers, sexism in church and scripture has long hindered many peoples' prayers. The Bible was written in a different time and culture, and we have to take it in that context. But still across thousands of years scripture still speaks a word of grace and truth.
God bless,
Sam



1 Peter 3:1-7

Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; 4rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 5It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. 6Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.



7Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.