How to be the Church in the second century

Dear friends,

Happy New Year!

In the Acts of the Apostles we see and hear the new disciples of Jesus Christ come to terms with the job of becoming the Church in the First Century.  We look at the events in hindsight through the lens of the world Church that has so dominated Western society and world history.  However, let us not forget that it was a very small group of non-powerful people who catapulted the Church forward through their faith and perseverance, of course with plenty of mistakes.  As a congregation we just recently left our first century in the rear view mirror.

A few months ago, over lunch, I asked the new President of the Presbyterian seminary in San Anselmo: ”what are you hearing from the people in the region about what they want the seminary to do for them?” He answered:” They want to know how to be the Church in the twentieth century.” That of course is a huge question and one that is not easily answered.  How can we respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this new time of overcommitted, under-energized, anxiety-driven, easily bored, brief-attention span endowed people.  What can the Church do for them and what can they do for the Church?

Parkview has been trying to give its own answer.  We have moved from a being a Japanese American church propelled toward a multicultural future to a comfortably multicultural congregation appealing to members of society who are ambivalent and doubtful about religion and faith.  We have been able to do that through the genuine quality of our community.  Frankly, except for a few mega churches, I do not see churches surviving when they fail in the area of being a healthy, therapeutic spiritual community. People are just going to head for the exits. There is little patience for dysfunction anymore.

How can Parkview be the Church in our second century? In our annual half-day session retreat, we will continue to ask that question. I want to know what you think and I am sure our session members do also.  If there was one thing you would want our church to do in the near future, what would it be?  You can leave your suggestion on my desk (door is always open), in my box or in my e-mail in-box at aartvanbeek@yahoo.com (please put your name in the subject box).

I want to thank all of you for your Christmas cards.  If you didn’t get any from us, there is a reason for that:  nobody did, but we did appreciate and enjoy yours.  We’re just not good about that I guess. Perhaps it has to do with nerves about forgetting someone.

May God bless our journey into both the second and twenty-first century.  See you in church. Aart