I don't know if we should meet at 10.30 on a Sunday, at the school or at the common, but I do believe that we should seek to gather as one body, once a week for a corporate time of worship; both as an expression of unity and a time when we gain support and strength from God and from one another.
There is spiritual strength and unity in our meeting together as one body - from this central hub all other services, meetings, mission activities can emanate and grow, making use of different times, settings and groupings.
I believe that there is a spiritual benefit to this that we may not fully
grasp on a human level. Think of the Israelites instructed to march around
the walls of Jericho shouting and worshipping; they may not have fully
recognised the reasons and benefits but God did, the Israelites were obedient, and the walls came tumbling down!
St Michael's is named for a warrior angel, but I sense that as a church we have lost our warrior mantle. Aspects of being
a warrior people: to destroy the works of the evil one; to use the armour of
God (the power of the word and prayer); holiness; to be a place of healing
and freedom that people are drawn to; to fight for the protection of our
church and our community; to impact the local community around us - think
peace-keeping force, caring, rebuilding, preparing the groundwork for a new
government.
I sense that St. Michael's needs to regain its outward-looking, mission focus. This in itself grows out of body unity and identity.
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