Sunday 12th February
1 Corinthians 3: 10-11,16-17
“ For we are partners working together for God,
and you are the soil God has prepared.
You are also God’s building ….”
For almost a decade Rosemary & I lived in a manse without foundations, well, not the sort required by modern building regulations. It was built as a gentleman’s residence over 150 years ago and despite regular wall cracks and ancient lath and plaster ceilings the house had a long life and use for many purposes other than housing clergy.
Over centuries say church and its synonymous with buildings, especially ancient building with a spire. The cathedrals of England and Europe have endured for centuries: marvels of architecture, engineering, stonemasons and manual labour.
Church primarily means a gathering of people for a special purpose. Today we sang of these purposes in the opening hymn – sharing ‘our good and troubled times’, an interrelationship of people, sharing the ( communion) meal, an open door to welcome strangers and a Story to live and tell.
When Paul wrote of church he used the Greek word “ecclesia”( 115 times in his letters). It means an assembly of citizens. In the good old days many churches used bells to summon the faithful. These days they are often prohibited because they disturb a sleep-in. We begin with a call to worship which expresses why we have gathered as God’s people.
Elsewhere in the New Testament the church is said to be made of living stones: “let yourselves be used in building a spiritual temple” (1 Peter 2: 4). In other words, church is always primarily people responding to the call to be a community of Christ.
Koonung Heights has been an ecclesia, a church, for well over sixty years. There are still a few original living stones contributing their worship and service. They have experienced many seasons of church life from the time when the foundations of the first building were laid. They and others laboured to build a church set apart for worship, mission, service.
Many of us have come much more recently – and everyone contributes to worship, witness and service as you have been grafted into this community. Each one of you has added something to the quality of this place as you build your lives on a good foundation.
At the recent funeral of Alan Parkinson there were four previous Ministers of the Word (Jim, John, Paul & Alan) present all of whom built on the foundation that is Jesus Christ in their own special way in serving Koonung Heights, and that was done in partnership with all who worshipped and served during those periods of this Congregation’s life.
Everyone who participated this morning vividly illustrated our budget and the ways that this is utilized for many purposes. None of it concerns maintaining a building for its own sake, but encouraging a community built on Jesus, the good foundation.
We live in times which are particularly challenging because, for a host of reasons, the institutions of the Church, are on the nose. Parts of the building are in disrepair and need renovation and renewal. It why the Uniting Church has an understanding that it is called to constant renewal.
Different periods of history call for a expression of discipleship which is alive, engaged and which risks the ways of Jesus. At this time in history these are a few of the realities with which we struggle in building on the good foundation of the Christ.
- The message of the gospel, which once was taken for granted, is often rejected as irrelevant in a very rich, secular, technology dominated world.
- A belief that Christianity is unquestionable doctrines and beliefs imposed on gullible people.
- The stink of paedophile priests has probably tainted every church.
- The challenge of consumerism, living in times which emphasise entertainment almost above everything else.
- A rumour that church is irrelevant and exists only for itself.
You know this community is not like any of these which is why you belong and participate with energy, good humour, grace and goodwill.
Yes, there are many challenges in being a community of Christ in our times. This includes having an aspirational budget for our many activities and ministries.
Building on a good foundation takes an effort and engagement which perhaps was not as obvious sixty years ago. But, really the task is the same as it has been in every generation: to share in the tasks and opportunities of building and renovating a church in the present, for the future.
I am thankful to share in this ministry with all of you who give time, talents, service and money in building on the good foundation.
Let’s affirm our vision, mission and participation of who we aspire to be as members of this church, Koonung Heights UC.
“ For we are partners working together for God,
and you are the soil God has prepared.
You are also God’s building ….”
David Carter