CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
July 14, 2024
Welcome & Worthy/Imitating Christ
Romans 16:1-2, Philippians 2:1-5
I am and am not giving a report from Annual Conference. This year’s conference was, to me, different from any of the previous conferences I have attended. I have tried to think of a word to describe it but have not really come up with one that really tells what my thoughts really are. A word that kind of tells the story of conference from my perspective is subdued. The moderator this year was Madalyn Metzger.
We mentioned it 2 weeks ago but she attended the Springfield Church of the Brethren when she was growing up. She gave some opening remarks to begin the business session on the first day of conference.
One of the things she acknowledged was that several congregations have left the Church of the Brethren because of different biblical views.
I do not know if that being mentioned in the opening comments had anything to do with the tone of this year’s conference, but it just had a different feel this year than the previous conferences I have attended. I thought Madaline did an excellent job keeping the delegates focused on what was being discussed at the time. There were times when some went to the microphones to talk about things that weren’t exactly being discussed and while she gave some leeway in that regard, she would bring us back to the topic at hand.
The first verses we read this morning from Romans is what the main theme of conference were based on. One can take those 2 verses a number of ways, but I believe Paul was encouraging the church to recognize the importance and value of all believers. Paul wasn’t bashful when it came to saying what he felt needed to be said and he wanted the church in Rome to know what an important sister in Christ Phoebe was. Madaline used these verses in her message in the worship service that opened conference.
The verses from Philippians I shared as the second part of scripture for us was used by Cindy Laprade Lattimer in the closing worship service. She actually used Philippians 1:1-11 where as I just used the first 5 verses. Here we see Paul talking to the church in Phillipi. Once again, he is encouraging the church to be united in Christ and in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. He then highlights ways that should be happening.
1. By having tenderness for one another.
2. Compassion for one another.
3. Finding a way to be likeminded, by having the same love and
being one in spirit and purpose.
Paul offers this challenge: To do nothing out of vain conceit or selfish ambition and how is this possible by considering others to be better than yourself. And also, to look not only at your own interests but to genuinely look at the interest of others.
After Paul goes down this list of things those in the church should and should not be doing, he reminds us all of this. Your attitude, our attitude, should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. And what is that attitude Jesus Christ exampled to us in Romans 5:8, we are reminded, “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
As I think of this year’s annual conference what I heard around our table, as well as by most of those who spoke at conference this year, was an openness to recognize there are and will be differences. Some of the differences will be big based on biblical interpretations; some will be more about personal preferences.
There was a query that was presented that was asking for real discussions about the things that threaten this denomination. The query seeks, “A new model of denominational structure”. The final statement in the query says this: “How might a new model of denomination structure support proactive and vitality; address the issues that threaten the unity and viability of our beloved denomination; and offer hope to individuals and congregations who are contemplating separation from the Church of the Brethren.”
When we think of the message Paul gave the church in Rome about his fellow worker and sister Phoebe and couple that with the encouragement and challenge Paul gave the church in Philippi, we have the framework for the answer to how our churches, our families, our nation and our world can work together even when we do not always agree. That was one of the primary themes I took away from this year’s conference. Carol may have a different take on this year’s conference than I have had. But the Lord led me to realize the importance of love and respect for one another, while also understanding the only way to really achieve these things is through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pastor Larry
Announcements:
Sunday School 9:00
Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study
Today 2:00 VBS meeting
July 21 2:00 Set up/decorate for VBS
July 22-26 6:00 – 8:00 pm VBS at the Brethren Church—help
will be needed
NO board meeting in July
Please sign up for children’s message during worship and/or for
a story lesson in the nursery.
Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362
Donation Box for July: AC bills
First Sundays: Food Bank donations
Keep in Your Prayers
Sharon Traughber; Ruth Siburt; Steve Needham; Shirley Clarkson; Courtney Atteberry; Ava; Nora Hanaver; David and Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron and Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker; Adiline Young; Mayo and Darlene Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Israel, Iran, the Palestinians; Military and Other Services and their families
Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers
District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Girard congregation and the
ministry of Girard Area Homes.
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