Pentecost

Pentecost is the birthday of the church as recorded in Acts 2:1-21. One way to celebrate the birthday of ‘CHURCH’ is to spell it out as an acrostic as follows:

 

C – Charis

 

H – Healing, Hope and Healthy

 

U – United

 

R – Radical

 

C – Compassionate

 

H - Hospitable    

C–Charis is a Greek word usually translated “grace.” It emphasizes goodwill, kindness and favor. Not only is this a gift extended to us by God, but it is a quality that the church offers to the world. It is the mark of a Christian. Charis refers to that which offers joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and the grace of speech that is seasoned and moderate, thus provoking harmonious fellowship.

H - Healing, Hope, and Health –

·         Healing is a ministry of the Church that we see in our denomination through the many hospitals that we have started around the world.  But it also is a witness to the medical missionaries that have been serving the Lord in those same hospitals.

·         Hope – is a sense of seeing something of faith that could be tangible, but also an idea or vision that motivates one to serve the Lord.  Church is a sanctuary of Hope.

·         Health – is descriptive of a Church that is able to function with room for a difference of opinion and preference, but still open to discuss things in good faith.  Yes, there will be disagreements, but the healing, hopeful, health of the Spirit’s working can resolve and reconcile.

U -United – The Church is united. Paul uses the Body as an illustration of how a church functions like a Body.  Yes, there are many parts, but if one is hurt, the whole body suffers, and if one is functioning well – the whole body is well.  Pray for the wellness of a United Church in Jesus Christ.

R - Radical/Reformed – The Church is radical/reformed which recalls the historical challenge of the Reformation with Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox and many other reformers.  It was the attempt to bring Church back to its roots of the early Church as recorded in Acts 2.  One description of the Presbyterian denomination is “Reformed and Always Reforming,” which keeps the witness and mission of Christ’s Church currently focused on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pray for that constant vigilance of being reformed.

C – Compassionate – The essence of grace and wellness of healing is in the compassionate Spirit that shines like an aura over all the ministries done in Jesus’ name.  If there were not a compassionate Spirit, it would be just empty motions of service.  Pray that the Compassionate Spirit of Christ is ever present in the Church.

H – Hospitable – When I think of the hospitality of Christians, I think of a former member who selflessly opened her home to a family whose father was arrested and awaiting trial.  The family came to church right after worship and this member outright told the wife and family, “You can stay with me until your husband and father is free!”  Very unforgettable!  What hospitality!  It is the Spirit’s real presence in the life of the church when the community responds as openly and lovingly as did this blessed member.  May we be as open and hospitable to one who needs the presence of Christ in a very tangible, loving way.

This acrostic is my rendition of what the birthday of the Church can be today.  So, celebrate the Church’s birthday and serve the Lord with gladness.

Amen

Rev. Dr.  John J. Duling