Be Transformed

“Grant, o merciful God, that your Church, being gathered in unity by your Holy spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples.” What a wonderful and powerful way to begin worship, which is what we did on August 24, 2014. This was a day that the sermon focused on transformation, and what better way to lead into this subject than to ask God to fill the church with the Holy Spirit, so that we might show forth God’s power among all people. This prayer was then followed by the reading of Paul’s letter to the Romans (12:1-8) in which St. Paul challenged us “not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we might discern what God’s will is for us.”

This passage goes on to remind us that like a human body, the church has many members and that all members do not have the same function. In fact, each of us has gifts that differ from those of others in the church and that each gift is a grace given to us by God. Some have the gift of teaching, others the gift of preaching, or caring, or generosity, or leading. Others know how to feed the hungry or shelter the homeless, or mow the grass or prune the roses. All of these gifts are given to us by “one and the same spirit, for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

It is important for each of us to recognize that we all have something to give to the church and the world. We have different talents and gifts and as St. Paul tells us, they are all given by one and the same spirit for the common good. In addition to the gifts of teaching, singing, praying, building and serving, there are times in each of our lives where our gift just might be receiving. Yes, receiving. Being still, being cared for, laying fallow, so that when our time comes again to use our gifts we will be ready, revived and resourceful.

I am convinced that Jesus’ main purpose in coming to earth was to make God’s Kingdom as real on Earth as it is in Heaven and to inspire us to be co-creators with Him in this venture. After all, the Gospels tell us that we will do even greater things than he does because God will send us the Holy Spirit. Our purpose, then, must be to help transform the world, which just might involve transforming the church first.

What does it mean “to transform the church?” Does it mean to change everything that we do? To completely change our style of music, to quit wearing vestments and wear denim? No, I do not believe it means this at all. But, it might mean to survey our community, find out who comes to church and why, who does not come to church and why not, which demographic groups come to church and which do not. Next it is important to figure out who we are and who we are not and to recognize that we cannot be all things to all people. Finally, who would we like to involve in our worship and fellowship, and what changes will help us attract them. After all, the church exists just as much for those who are not members as it does for those who are.

Having done all of this, then we may want to add some variety to our preaching, or singing, or liturgy. To look for ways to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in ways to which they can relate. St. Paul, might call this meeting people where they are. Besides, it just might be fun to use a variety of the resources available to us as Episcopal Christians. This often allows us to hear God speaking in different ways or for us to speak to God in different ways. When we do this we never know exactly where the spirit will lead us, but we do know that we may have to hang on for the ride.

Remember, transformation is what the Kingdom of God is all about: transformation of the church, transformation of each individual Christian, and ultimately transformation of the world.