Jesus came to this world with a ministry of reconciliation. And he called his disciples to be agents of reconciliation. It’s hard work. That’s why Paul says “make every effort to keep the bond of unity,” because that is what it takes: “Every effort.” Reconciliation doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality and purposeful hard work. 

That’s why your session, this church’s leadership body, has approved a strategy for the ministry of reconciliation in our church family, which you will get the opportunity to study this month and that our church will get the opportunity to vote on as a congregation at its January 31st annual meeting, to adopt as part of our mission as a church. 

Why? Because we’ve got conflicts breaking out here? No, because we want to learn how make the most of our differences as they are sure to arise; because we want the conflicts that normally rise among us to be a source of mutual enrichment instead of estrangement; because we want to make our fellowship a fragrant offering of peace to the world instead of just raising a stink!

For the rest of January, my sermons will study Biblical measures we can take to develop and improve our work of reconciliation. And then next month, beginning January 31, our church’s Peacemaking and Social Justice Team will sponsor a conflict transformation practicum during the 9:45 Sunday school hour, giving all who want to participate the opportunity to work on some new skills for the ministry of reconciliation, to fulfill our mission “to be instruments of God’s healing, reconciling, life-giving presence in the world.” 

I hope you will join us for this relationship enriching sermon and class series! 

-Yours for the Adventure!

Jim