Facebook has a page called Cristo Reina (Christ Reigns) which is a page created for the United Methodist Hispanic congregation in Nicholasville, Kentucky. It was both an evangelistic and social ministry begun in Wilmore by the United Methodist Church there. Though the issue of membership was not easily discerned, there were some who were recognized as members. One of those was Ignacio back in 2002. Unfortunately, this UM congregation folded soon after I left Kentucky. Recently, someone called him and asked him what church he tells people he belongs to as he ministers to them. He answered, Iglesia Cristo Reina! When told the church had closed he said, It doesn’t matter; Cristo Reina is my church. The little book, I am a Church Member, offers a different approach on church membership. It sees the reality of love, unity, selflessness, prayer, family and faithfulness as essential to the church, but with a twist – it focuses on attitude. Jonathan Edwards wrote about affections, which is the deepest intention or attitude you have toward something. So, if you shake someone’s hand or say hi, if you give a large donation, or pray, what is your deepest intention or motive? The book will establish that the deep-seated intention of a church member determines the strength of the congregation. The church does not depend so much on the outward signs as much as on the profound, personal intention to please our Savior – the One we belong to. Ignacio’s story serves to highlight a church member’s obstinate and dogged loyalty. He may walk alone 9 hours through the mountains to visit a church, but by golly he will be loyal to the Master! The Lord needs men and women to serve Him with the same dogged intention!
See you in Church,
May 5, 2016