Called Forth

When Jesus came to the tomb of his friend, Lazarus, he ordered that the stone be removed. Even Lazarus’ sister hesitated. She said, “He has been dead four days." Jesus promised they would see the glory of God. So they took away the stone and Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

As Christians we believe in resurrection. We believe that God brings life from death. Salem has the chance to embody that theology. It is perhaps an opportunity that few congregations have. It has come at great cost. Still Jesus cries out, “Salem, come out!”

Salem has been called forth to new life, to begin again in a new place. What does this mean for us? To begin with, we give thanks to our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God has rescued us and given Salem new life. We are God’s people, the people of his kingdom. God has not abandoned us. God has, indeed, been faithful to us, working in ways we have not always known or understood.

Furthermore, we will continue to seek God’s will. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). Jesus taught us to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth, here and now. Wherever God’s will is done here and now, it is a sign of God’s kingdom. During Lent we fasted and prayed, seeking God’s will for Salem. Now we have a new place to gather, however, we must continue to fast and pray, seeking God’s will. This new location is a mission field, an opportunity to reach out to others in the name of Jesus and invite them by God’s grace to participate in God’s kingdom. Jesus did not cast vision or develop a plan. He simply sought his Father’s will. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done.” It is not about our kingdom or will but God’s. Only God’s agenda matters.

We will continue to simply be the church. Our 2008 Book of Discipline says, “Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit, the church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world” (¶ 201). That is, we exist “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Therefore, we will gather for worship in our new location. As we do we will reach out to others and welcome them. We will nurture ourselves and those who join with us as disciples of Jesus Christ, and we will continue to work in God’s mission of renewing creation.

As we begin again in a new location, we have an awesome opportunity to reach out to others and welcome them. Because this is a “re-start” for Salem in a new location, we will be perceived as a new congregation. Research has shown that it only takes two Christians to bring one person to faith in Christ in churches three years old or less. In five year old churches it takes twelve Christians. In a ten year old church, it takes seventy-two Christians. Bringing new people to new congregations is far easier than bringing new people to established congregations. We do not want to squander this opportunity for every single person of Salem to reach out to new people and welcome them. I have already had several conversations myself with persons who have expressed interest in visiting Salem in our new location. I have had conversations with people who have friends, family-members, and co-workers living in the neighborhoods around our new location. Welcoming all these persons means reaching out to them first. If we will reach out to others and welcome them as Salem does, I will not be surprised if the size of Salem doubles within the first year.

Please note, we will not do this simply for the sake of more people in the seats. Rather, we will continue to live out our name, bringing Salem to those around us. “Salem” comes from the Hebrew word shalom. This is usually translated as peace. God’s peace, however, is not just the absence of conflict but the wholeness of life. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 NRSV). Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, joy, love, friendship, well-being, justice, and salvation. Salem/Shalom is God’s will for the world, for the renewal of creation.