Pastor’s Column

Dear Friends,

This past Sunday as the adult Sunday School class discussed an unpronounceable German word used by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, we came across this sentence: “Christ is not a principle or a program; Christ does not teach an abstract ethic.” We paused. How true, thought we, for our­selves and for the church; for this congregation even—Christ is not a program or a principle. Christ is more than those things—and we all knew it. Jesus, it seems to me lived the ethic he presented, demonstrated his work ethic through his life and death and resurrection.

A heavy topic, to be sure, but the end result is simple. Everything we do ought to point to a purpose. That purpose: to cultivate disciples of Jesus Christ. As we move into this year of the church's life and ministry we ask once again: why do we do what we do? And we ask and answer: how do we do it?

First Presbyterian Church has long been ground for cultivation of disciples of Jesus Christ. Thank God for that. This fall, we face a special opportunity for tending God's garden here: a visit from The Rev. Dr. Woody Davis, who will lead a “life changing day” titled, “How to Share Your Faith and Keep Your Friends. Mark your calendars now for Oc­tober 15, 2011. Block off the day. It's that important.

Between now and then, read the newsletter closely and watch for those weekly emails that will remind you of the joy of our life together in Christian community—prayer meetings, Rally Day, prayer vigils, Poage Landing Days (with the hymn sing and bean dinner and outdoor worship) and, most quickly, our youth-led Sunday service.

Invest yourself in discipleship, remembering our shared ministry together displays the body of Christ.