By DAVID EPPS
Pastor

It's good, from time to time, to remember. Remembering reminds us of lessons learned, loves won and lost, successes in which to bask, and failures from which to learn. A few weeks ago, as the nation was remembering it's war dead during memorial Day weekend, we called our congregation to remembrance.

We are about to enter a new phase of church life. Within a few months, we will leave the place in which we have been worshipping for nearly six years and will occupy our own facility. If we're not careful, we will forget some important principles.

Six years ago, we sensed that we were to operate under a collection of principles that were to guide us into the future. I reminded our congregation that, as a church, we were being called to remember these admonitions, adopted in 1996:

1) We are to always concentrate on people and not on numbers. We are not ruled by attendance numbers. We have people who count and record the attendance for historical purposes. But we do not focus on it, publicize it, or announce it. I have no idea how many people were in church last Sunday. That's been the way it is for six years and I like it. No longer do I find myself being "up" or "down" according to the numbers.

2) The church consists of the people - it is not the building. That's been a given for the last several years, since we meet in a funeral home chapel. But in that time, we have baptized over 100 people, confirmed scores, and brought many into the grace of the Church. We have served Holy Communion over 700 times, have taught or preached the gospel at least that many times, and have married, buried, and visited many, all without our own building. We can be the church without a building but we are nothing without our people.

3) The worship service is for God and not for people. We do not attempt to "tickle the ears" of those who come to church and we do not design our services or choose our music to please people. We desire, on Sunday, to please an audience of One and that One sits on the throne to receive adoration and praise. Sunday is not about us. It is, however, all about God.

4) The church is to be a safe place. Most people in our community who are unchurched have been wounded by Christians. For them, church has been a hurtful place. We attempt to not allow gossip at Christ the King. The Bible says that "where there is strife there is every kind of evil." And, since most strife starts with the tongue, we deal with that evil quickly. You can be a recovering addict, a struggling sinner, an imperfect person, or a totally dysfunctional person and find a warm welcome. You are safe with us. We will not "leave you or forsake you." We won't condemn you nor knowingly allow others to do so.

5) We are to be a "convergence" church. Most congregations are either "evangelical," "charismatic," or "sacramental." We aspire to be all three because that's what we believe that's the pattern of the New Testament church.

6) The establishment of new ministries will not be based on need but upon visionary and committed leadership. A couple visited about five years ago and brought their ten children. We were sorely tempted to start a children's church. Alas, the leadership wasn't in place then as it is now. We believe that if we are to be in a particular ministry, God will provide the people to carry it forth.

7) We are to be a church where people will be trained for ministry. So far, we have seen five men ordained into the priesthood and two into the diaconate. We have two commissioned ministers and some 12-15 eucharistic ministers. At present, we also have six men in seminary preparing for leadership roles.

8) We are to focus on men. We believe that, if the man gets his life together, the whole family and, perhaps, the entire community will eventually get right. We don't diminished women and children, but we do honor the role of men. At the same time, we expect them to become "men of God" and take their significant place in the church and family.

9) We are to plant 20 sister churches during the next 20 years. We have planted our first church, St. Matthew's, in Hogansville. Nineteen to go.

10) We are to seek to be led and governed by the Spirit of God. We don't vote at Christ the King. As strange as it sounds, the leadership prays together in an attempt to discern the mind and will of God. We're not that smart. We need divine help. It's a lot easier to voice an opinion and vote, but it is immensely much more satisfying to know that we are walking in God's will and direction.

Remembering helps to keep us focused and on track. It reminds us that we have both a past and a destiny. It reminds us all that our history and our calling are unique. If we fail to remember, we lose our way. May God grant that we all walk in his purposes and fulfill our destinies.

[Father David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church serving the south metro Atlanta area. He may be contacted at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com or at www.ctkcec.org.]

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