I often wonder about the future of the Church. Who will come after us to show God’s love to the world? What will they speak into a fearful world? How will they do it? And what will future Presbyterians find compelling about our uniquely Reformed witness in the world? I never claim to have answers, but I don’t worry about the future of the Church; I wonder how the Church will be different in the future.
In that spirit, I often ponder how the first Christians, those we hear about in Acts chapter 2, consider the future. We know that that they are sure that Christ could return at any moment so they live their lives like every day could be their last before our Savior returns. But I wonder what they felt like — it could feel much like the present moment considering all that swirls around us in the Church and the world.
Pentecost celebrates the renewal of the relationship between God and the community of faith. We know that God continually comes to us and that we will never be forgotten by the God whom we know is here with us in the person of Jesus Christ, so Pentecost is like an invitation to take a deep Spirit-filled breath and thank God for the gift that is the Church, which will not cease.
In the future, the Church will certainly not look and sound like what we know today. The songs will be different, yet they will still praise God. The ministries will be different, but they will still show forth God’s justice, mercy and compassion. The people who make up the Church will be more representative of God’s holy diversity yet the heart of our life together — worship — will always remain central to our witness. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for that day even though I may not be on this side of heaven to witness it!
The Pentecost Offering helps us live into this Spirit-filled opportunity to embrace future now. Through our giving we tell the story of God, who is always there for us, coming to us. The Pentecost Offering supports children at risk through the Educate a Child, Transform the World initiative and high schoolers attending the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, which shows them the inescapable loving presence of God. It also enables young adults to share Christ’s light while living alongside those on the margins of society and preparing themselves for a life of service through the Young Adult Volunteers program.
This is a glimpse of what the Church can be, for if we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.
Rev. Wilson Kennedy, Associate Director, Special Offerings
Let us join in prayer for:
Jenny Oldham, Mission Specialist I, Presbyterian Hunger Program, Interim Unified Agency
Dayna Oliver, Mission Associate III, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Interim Unified Agency
Let us pray:
God of fire and Spirit, thank you for this holy day of Pentecost where we pray for your church. Help us be faithful in all we do and compassionate in the ministries we perform. Show us how we can be more faithful today and always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
