Loading...
The Citizen, 1988-07-20, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1988. Minister’s Study BY REV. BONNIE LAMBLE WALTON-BLUEVALE PASTORAL CHARGE Mary and Jane have been in the church choir for 15 years but because of an argument almost that long ago they haven’t spoken to each other for years. The choir functions well enough despite their feud but the director has to be very careful never to seat Mary beside Jane. TheUnitedChurch is facinga serious problem over the issue of ordaining self-declared homo­ sexuals. Extremists on both sides of the issue are threatening to break away and form their own churches. The United Church of Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada entered into dialogue about joining into one church but were unable to come up with an agreement. Within the congrega­ tion, within the denomination, between denominations there are conflicts, serious problems. It is rather puzzling and discouraging for we all claim to be part of God’s church and try to do God’s will yet we can’t seem to get along. But conflict is nothing new in the church. From the earliest times there have been problems. The church at Corinth is a prime example. Corinth was a bustling, prosperous cosmopolitan city and that atmosphere spilled over into the church community. They got into some lively quarrels about moral practices, about how wor­ ship should be conducted, about how to celebrate the Lord’s supper. They disputed about leadership. Some thought they owed alle­ giance to Paul, others to Peter, others to Apollos. They were inded achailenging bunch to lead and Paul had his share of pain and frustration in dealing with them. But he refused to give up on them and his counsel for them still holds some most important lessons for us today. First of all he reminds the people that through Jesus Christwe are reconciled toGod. With our human nature with all its brokeness, its failure, and its sin weareestrangedfromGod. It is like there is a big gulf between us and God. But through Christ’s sacrifice for us, our relationship with God is restored. In Christ we become new persons. And since we experience that new life we in turn are to share it with others. Paul says that we are to be ambassadors for Christ. At the recent economic summit meeting in Toronto we saw the etiquette and protocol thataccompanies rela­ tionships between dignitaries of various countries in the world. Ambassadors have to be diploma­ tic in the true sense of the word, keeping relationships from becom­ ing strained. When a problem does arise it is the ambassador’s job to reconcile the two parties. So it is with us. We are ambassadors for Christ, striving to be a reconciling presence in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Now that doesn’t mean thatwe become wishy-washy or doormats and let others trample all over us. We still must be prepared to stand up against wrong. It is not peace at any cost. Jesus did not keep the peace with the money lenders whose tables he overturned in the temple. But when we take a stand, we remember our ministry of recon­ ciliation and do it in such a way as to leave the door open for reconcilia­ tion rather than encouraging leng­ thy feuding. And that is notan easy thing todo. Sometimes, particular­ ly if someone has wronged us, we think that it is their duty to make the first overture towards peace notours. But as Paul reminds us, it is our ministry of reconciliation as Christians. It may very well be our first move. So let us willingly take up our credentials as ambassadors and be channels of Christ’s peace in our world. r Business & Professional Directory Thompson's Meat Market Brussels •Fresh Meat •Freezer Orders •Custom Butchering byappointment Call Brussels887-6294 BLAKE Septic Tank Service Fast Efficient24 Hour Service CALL RAY 887-6800 McKILLOP MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY 91 Main St. South, Seaforth Office 527-0400 FARM, HOME, COMMERCIAL AUTO COVERAGES . AGENTS Graeme Craig 887-9381 BobMcNaughton 527-1571 DonaldTaylor 482-9976 Banter & MacEwan Insurance Brokers Ltd. 524-8376 John Wise Insurance Brokers Ltd. 482-3401 Fred Lawrence Electric Ltd. Home, Farm Commercial Wiring Auburn, Ont. DON DUNBAR 526-7505 PAUL COOK 357-1537 DEDp Sales-Service DCllU installation FREEESTIMATES •Barn Cleaners *Stabling •Bunk Feeders Ives Construction Donald G. Ives R.R.#2,Blyth Brussels 887-9024 B LL’S auto WRECKING & REPAIR •will pick up scrap vehicles •sell new & used tires •towing 887-6510 fafibaMUra 1 Phil's Refrigeration and Appliance Service Dependable service toall makesand models of major domestic appliances Wingham 887-9062 GENERAL J. Richard Elliott [519] 523-9725 B & G ELECTRIC Plumbingand Heating Brussels, Ont. N0G1H0 BILL AITCHISON 887-6747 Ward & Uptigrove CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Listowel -- 291-3040 Mitchell - 348-8412 R.B. Karcher, C.A. C D. Newell, C.A. RE. Uptigrove,C.A. C. W. Brouse, C.A. R.H. Loree,C.A. G.J. Martin, C.A. R.C. Roswell, C.A. G.C. MacDonald C.A. CANADIAN CRANE RENTALS LTD. •15, 25, 40 and 50 ton hydraulic, radiodispatched mobile cranes each up to 180 feet. •I’/j yd. backhoe •bulldozer service •16 years experience RR 2, Wingham 357-3721 FOR THE FINEST IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & RENOVATIONS Dealerin Pella-Huntand Alcan Windows & Doors BUILDERSSINCE1956 H. TEN PAS CONSTRUCTION LTD BRUSSELS, ONT. 887-6408 f DON’T LET WILDFIRES BE R. John Elliott [519] 523-4323 Scott McLennan Building Contractor Custom Building •Residential •Commercial •Agricultural Specializing in concrete, with several years of experience to help guarantee your satisfaction. Wingham Wroxeter 357-3267 335-6261 ELLIOTT INSURANCE BROKERS INSURANCE IN ALL BRANCHES LTD. Established 1910 BLYTH, ONTARIO NOM 1H0 519-523-4481 LIVESTOCK MORTALITY INSURANCE Howard Bernard Fuels Agent-Petro- Canada Brussels Heating Oils Automatic Delivery Farm Fuels Motor Oils & Greases 887-6377 Fill Your Freezer Today with quality meats and frozen foods from our retail store. Specializing in smoked porkchops for the B.B.Q. We'll provide custom slaughter­ ing of your livestock each Tues­ day. Callforanappointment BACHERT MEATS JUST EAST QQ7 QQOQ OF WALTON PARmPOWER®"© a total, reliable fuel service WAYNE JEROME SALES & SERVICE BELGRAVE CO-OP AUBURNCO-OP 357-271 1 or 523-4454 526-7262 PREGNANT? and need help . . 519-357-1066 WINGHAM 1-800-328-5683 TOLL FREE Wattam’s Backhoe •Septic Tank Installations •Weeping Beds • Field Tile Repair •Trenching Free Estimates 519-523-9714 Ln rd ServingBlyth, Brussels, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel. Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 ✓