I have about a month to go as
pastor of Community Church and the imminent closure of
my work as a pastor focuses my mind on the sort of
"last will and testimony" kind of reflection. So here
are some personal thoughts I'm happy to share with our
web readers:
…Don't fear your faith.
The Christian faith welcomes intellectual challenge
and debate. I am so proud that the welcoming spirit of
our church has promoted some of the liveliest
discussions about faith available in Hong Kong.
Community Church Hong Kong is very special when it
invites a rabbi to preach; when we have lively Sunday
AM discussions about our faith and Buddhism and all
sorts of other spiritual issues in David Elliott's
marvellous Executive Club seminar; where Protestant
confirmands visit a Roman Catholic and Orthodox
worship services; and where the congregation brings an
inquiring mind and spirit to our teaching on Sundays.
…But challenge your
doubts also. We are surrounded with scepticism toward
everything in modern life including our faith. We need
to be mentally alert to identify baseless doubt and
silly scepticism and challenge it.
…Simplify your life.
Eliminate whatever distracts you from God. In Hong
Kong that means, at the least, junking the junk mail,
the catalogues, the solicitations to complete more
applications. It means spending less time worrying
about investments. And it means keeping Sunday for
ourselves and for God.
…Do not attempt the
journey alone. Find companions, and hopefully among
other believers, who see themselves as you may see
yourself: a sojourner, a seeker, a pilgrim. We
Protestants readily assume the stance of one
individual alone with God. But we should not be alone.
The Bible is primarily written for the group, not for
individuals, because God wants to reach us through
community. Venture into a small group.
….Always incline toward
freedom, mercy and compassion after the example of God
and our Lord. What a wonderful God who chose to
exercise his kingship by coming to live among us and
leave his Spirit with us. "Quench not the Spirit,"
Paul says and also "grieve not the Holy Spirit of
God." Show the same humble, non-coercive attitude
toward others, especially those who are offending to
us, as God shows to us.
…Don't be ashamed of the
Gospel. In Romans, Paul states "I am not ashamed of
the gospel." Our good manners and social restraint
incline us to speak, if we speak at all, of matters of
faith in generalities lest we appear aggressive. When
the invitation is given, as often during the millions
of air miles our congregation travels each year, to
explain ourselves to the strangers next to us, why not
start with our faith, our church, our Christian
friends.
…Find pleasure in your
faith and worship. I have enjoyed every Sunday spent
with Community Church. Our worship brings joy to my
heart and I believe gives pleasure to God. As we
please God we shall experience wondrous pleasure in
our lives. Faith and religion can be thrilling.