Wednesday, 1 September 2021

Shomair Declaration - 10

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In conclusion. this is the final installment of the series on our Congregational Declaration. If you missed any of them, they can be found at syknox.org/blog along with every other (previously written) RR. I've enjoyed writing this series. I'm thankful for our community at Shomair and what the Lord has done to make us a community.

We are a community because many individuals listened to the call of God on their lives to make a difference for His kingdom somewhere, and at Shomair in particular. Yeshua laid His life down, not only so that we would have Him, but also so that we would have each other.

Dan Juster has rightly posited that most churches are "Religious Event Manufacturing Corporations." Most people approach church attendance as a consumer would as opposed to active participants in the word of God. Consumers decide if they are satisfied with their purchase and make an active decision of whether they want to buy the product again. Real growth happens in relationships. But relationships are frequently messy and difficult. The other option (and temptation) is to become a hermit, and live alone.

This brings one Scripture to mind. Proverbs 14:4 Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean, but from the strength of the ox comes an abundant harvest. Let me provide the interpretation that applies to our subject situation. Where there are no relationships, everything is neat and tidy, but there is not much growth (increase or harvest). And, as we have said before, real and deep relationships are covenant relationships.

Love is a critical ingredient in worldwide revival. Yeshua made it a commandment. John 13:34-35 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. From here I want to jump off into 10 different directions, which I will in future RRs.

For now, let me close this RR today with this from the concluding prayer of our current Congregational Declaration.

Give us one heart Lord, as we follow after You. And open our eyes to see the opportunities You place before us ... In Hebrew we say "Kulanu K'Echad" meaning "together as one." May we (as one people) attain the full purpose for which God created us, the salvation of all Israel which leads to worldwide revival.

Or, as Buzz Lightyear says it, "To infinity and beyond."