“…God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18

Dear Friends:

Two important words to pay attention to these days: ministry and reconciliation. Why? Because in Christ we are part of a new creation: the ministry of reconciliation. What does that mean? First things first.

Ministry,actually stems from the word servant or service. As the church, when we’re about ministry to one another, we’re about responding to God in Christ through service. The apostle Paul writes to the church of Corinth reminding each person they are given special gifts from God in Christ to use for the purpose of ministry; for the purpose of serving God. So, we might be called to use our gift of teaching, or hospitality, or listening, or cooking, or writing, or leading, or prophesying, or comforting, or helping, or reconcilation; whatever gift God has put upon your heart and soul. We’re required to use our gifts to the glory of God which is serving God and that is ministry.

Reconciliation actually is about Jesus Christ taking our sin to the cross and our response. Jesus, taking our sin in his death frees us from alienation and from enmity. On the cross, Jesus creates a bridge for us to cross over from sin and death into the saving grace promised to us in Jesus’ resurrection. So we’re intentional about traveling to those we’ve wronged. Or we confront those who have wronged us. We make amends, begin anew, start again, with a new relationship. We forgive one another, and/or accept forgiveness, in our hurt with the intention that we will not repeat the same hurt. In other words, God doesn’t keep score. What God does do is call us to the ministry of reconciliation. Reconciliation is a two-sided effort. Extending ourselves with forgiveness must come from both sides in reconciliation.

This Lent, is a time to examine our relationship with one another. Using the gifts God has given us, who do we need to approach; what relationships must be mended? In so doing we’re about serving God. Often, the entire community is required to reconcile. Who do we as “the church” need to approach with forgiveness? Is it those who have found reason to mistrust us as the church because of institutional wrongs needing to make right? Or, as “the church” are we intentional with the ministry of reconciliation with those we have yet to help, or heal, or hold accountable?

God in Christ gives us as “the church” an abundance. In our ministry of reconciliation we’re called into action to be the face of Jesus and see the face of Jesus with all, that the world may see love, kindness, and mercy. Our ministry of reconciliation is a tall order. But, God believes in us to be “the church”. Epiphany, we are about the ministry of reconciliation in thought word and deed as we make God’s world known. Let’s continue our good work with one another and throughout. Give thanks to God for calling us to the ministry of reconciliation.

Tonight, beginning with 6:00 p.m. dinner and 6:30 dialogue, we’ll continue with our Interfaith Wednesday night evenings in an effort to be about the ministry of reconciliation. At 7:30 tonight Women’s Bible Study will join in the effort through their study of Pursuing God.Tomorrow we’ll gather to cook, prepare, assemble and deliver Hot Meals to our friends on the streets of Fairfax. Sunday following Gwynn’s preaching on story of the Prodigal Son, we’ll gather for Table Talks in the back of the Worship Space to dive deeper. What else will our ministry of reconciliation look like?

Each and every day, as you share your good gifts, I’m amazed at how God works so generously through Epiphany to make God’s world known. While there is much hurt and alienation in our world today, such pain only unites us with more conviction to be about the healing ministry of reconciliation. Thank you for the honor of serving with you.

Finally, share a story of a time you have practiced the ministry of reconciliation. May we all learn from one another how God works in our wounds and in our healings. 

Many blessings,

Hillary