Behind the Scenes

November during election years has often triggered vigorous activities related to transitions. In the White House preparations are underway for new arrivals and equally cumbersome exits. Plans for transitions will occur on multiple levels in hundreds of jobs just related to a new administration. Outside the beltway, thousands of Americans remain without jobs, the auto industry is in near bankruptcy, and housing foreclosures loom large for many. In the midst of global recession or natural disaster or global warming or energy crisis or wars…the reality of our times is one of transition, crisis, upheaval and change.
In the midst of such times, change has also come to the church. Ecclesiastical bodies, denominations and associations continue to demonstrate a remarkable degree of flux and transition. Many of these changes center on diversities of perspective, power wielding intentions by certain leaders, and a weakness of spiritual maturity among many who remain nominal Christians. The secular culture appears to dominate the behavior of the church causing it to leave its God-given mission lagging far behind. Biblical mandates to love our brothers and sisters in Christ falter in the face of exclusionary demands and less than Christian world views.
The miracle is that the church has survived and continues to survive in the midst of such times. The genuine church, however you may wish to categorize it, will ultimately be the people of God who live in faith and expectation in relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ who has saved them and called them to a holy mission and divine relationship. Whether in masses or in minorities or “the remnant” of prophetic description, the church endures.
Fear-filled rhetoric has filled the air, but the nature of God’s truth remains winsome and redeeming. The joy of our salvation will never go missing among those who follow Christ. The hope we share for our future will not be abandoned in the face of persecution, trial or temptation. When we commit ourselves to following Christ, we find our way, our truth and our life.