According to theologian Shirley Guthrie, “The Greek word used in the New Testament for church means ‘called out.’ The church is a community of people who (along with the community of Israel!) are called out of the world to be God’s people. The purpose of their coming together is twofold. First, it is to receive God’s judging, forgiving, renewing grace. Second, it is to be sent out again to be agents of God’s judgment, forgiveness, reconciliation, and renewal of the world.” (Christian Doctrine, pp.351-352)
In Guthrie’s discussion of the church he further defines church in the following manner:
1. “You are the church. Whenever a group of Christians are gathered in Christ’s name there the church is. When we say, “Why doesn’t the church do so and so? Or “The trouble with the church is,” we are asking why we don’t do so and so and are complaining about our own faults." (p. 352)
2. “The church is a community of people, not a building." (p. 352) The first century Christians met in homes, then later when buildings were built they were in places where people met or gathered – market places or places of central government - crossroads of daily life. The real nature and purpose of church is to serve God and our fellow human beings in the world and that can be done without a building.
3. “God creates and governs the church. The church is not a ‘voluntary association of believers’ who get together and decide to form a church. IT IS GOD who creates the church and calls people into it."
In a recent study of Bethel, the response to the question, "If you were to describe Bethel to a stranger what would you say?" The responses were:
- We aren't a Bible Thumpin' Church!
- We are allowed to think about our relationship with God and Jesus and raise doubts and questions in a safe place.
- We are fun!
- We are welcoming and open to everyone!
- We are friendly.
- "I came to Bethel unchurched nine years ago and over time I learned about faith and commitment on my own no pressure!
I have been blessed to pastor this community of faith. Over my nine years at Bethel, this community has tranformed from a dying church to a church that has different shades of life and continues to discern what God intends for them. Seventy percent of Bethel's current congregation have come in the last nine years. For most the reasons they came were varied but I believe God called them to Bethel at a particular time in their lives. I trust that God will continue to call people to Bethel.
As part of that discernnment, Bethel will be offering to the community of San Leandro an evening service each Sunday in May. Bethel will not hold Sunday celebrations in the morning instead we will have morning mediations on the scripture of the day and prayer. Our evening services will be filled with music, relevant messages and fellowship. So will Bethel still be a church if we meet on Sunday evenings instead of mornings? Of course, we will, we are the church.
I have heard from a few of you that you won’t be able to attend Sunday evening worship. I understand that life gets in the way of church. It is the same for Sunday mornings, many don’t come because there is much to do on Sunday mornings. A few have said that they need Sunday night to get ready for Monday. The leadership of Bethel is not giving you a month off of worship. Bethel will still depend on your monthly pledges and your participation in prayers of concern. If you have prayer requests and aren’t able to attend the evening worship, please bring them to me in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings. At that time we will reflect on the scripture passages of the day and to pray with all who come.
On your Sunday mornings, you are encouraged to serve in the community – April Showers, Alameda Foodbank, or a group of your choice – or attend another church worship service - just come back in June and share with the community what you did.
The Sundays in May are intentional about gathering as a faith community for education, fellowship and worship. Yes, if you attended all three things you will be in church for a few hours. But you can choose to come only at 6PM for worship. Faith Encounters for Adults and Children’s Church will begin at 4PM and Sunday Supper will be served at 5PM. The choir, praise team, band and children’s choir will all offer their gifts of music at one or more of the services. Pastor Barbara and I will share preaching opportunities. The worship services will be inter-generational and child care will be available for the younger ones.
This a TOTALLY OUT OF THE BOX experiment in gathering the community of faith at Bethel. Why are we doing this? To answer the question, can we meet at a different time? Why did we ask this question? Our finances aren’t solid and renting out the sanctuary or our facilities to another church would help keep us financially stable. Will one month answer this question? It depends on who comes to visit and who decides to come back in June. There will be no clear answer until the congregation gathers again over the next few months and discusses the process and the experiment as it relates to the future of Bethel.
The only requirement is that you RSVP for Sunday Suppers. Families in our faith community have agreed to provide dinner for all of those who attend and it would be a matter of courtesy to let the people know you are coming. If you are interested attending or in helping prepare a meal, please let Karin Conklin-Freitas know by emailing her at kconklin_freitas@yahoo.com.
I ask for your prayers for Bethel as we continue to live out what “church” means in our lives.
