Friend or Follower?

   To the Sinners and Saints in La Grange and beyond, grace to you and peace from Carly, called to be a servant of Christ  among you. 

   One of differences between Facebook and Twittter is how one's "associates" are labeled.  On Facebook, one has "friends."  According to how one sets their privacy settings, friends can see most of what I post on my Facebook page, can write things on my "wall," read my responses to other friends, and interact with me through private messaging.  On Twitter, one has "followers."  These people can read what I post on Twitter, but the level of interaction is limited to hashtags (#), "retweets" (RT), mentions (@), and direct messages (DM). 

   I recognize that to anyone outside of the world of social media, the paragraph I've just written makes absolutely no sense.  Such is the digital gap in technology use.  I would liken this difference to the difference between a church member and a disciple.  In Jesus' time, followers were more important than friends.  Despite what the popular song says, Jesus never wanted friends.  He said, "Follow me." 

   Membership usually means to be a part of something such as a family, a group or a club. membership carries with it expectations of participation and rules by which to maintain one's membership in good standing.  These differ from group to group; the country club requires a stiff membership fee while the Kiwanis require regular attendance and fees. Some organizations regulate the expected behavior of members.

   What does membership mean for the church?  This proverbial question has caused great conversation within congregations. In the United Church of Christ, each congregation makes this determination for themselves.  Some churches require pledges, participation, and receiving communion on a prescribed level.  Others are more lax and request only that the person let the church office know when they no longer wish to be a member.  Membership is an administrative box into which a person is placed for the sake of maintaining an institution.

   More important to the Christian faith is being a disciple -- a follower or student of a teacher, leader or philosopher. Jesus asked that we follow him, not join him.  The most important part of being a disciple is having a desire to learn and grow in the knowledge and discipline of the Teacher. Rev. Carrie Call nicely worded it:  "The disciple listens, studies, practices, questions and follows. .... Instead, it is an attitude or orientation toward the teacher, one that includes devotion and openness."

   She goes on to say,

   What I have come to believe is that not every church member is a disciple, and not every disciple is a church member. That seems odd to say. After all, if people are members of a church, doesn't that mean they are disciples of Jesus? Not necessarily. .... Discipleship has costs and it is a process - sometimes a very painful one. Making disciples is one of our tasks as followers of Jesus: to share an invitation to a way of life, not just membership in a particular group[1].

   No one can force another to be a disciple.  It is a response to an invitation.  It develops and gains strength only through invitation and example. And it is recognized by its fruits - compassion, forbearance, forgiveness, kindness of spirit, generosity, gratitude and humility.

   I encourage you to ask yourself what the difference might mean for your life. When we invite others to join us, is it so they can become good church members? Or, is it an invitation to a life of discipleship?

Let us gather with our Christian brothers and sisters to give thanks to God. Nine congregations and communities will gather at our church at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26th for a Community Thanksgiving Service. There will be combined vocal choirs, children's choirs, and handbell choirs. Let's come together with others in our La Grange Area Churches to give thanks.

ADVENT STUDY SERIES
Our own Charlie Cosgrove will be teaching an advent series on "The Origins of Christmas and Its Earliest Hymns." The classes will take place on December 4th, 11th, and 18th at 2:00 p.m. in the Drawing Room. All are welcome.

COOKIE EXCHANGE
Want a variety of cookies on hand for the holidays? The Ministry of Nurture is organizing a cookie exchange. Bring 3 dozen of your favorite homemade cookies to the Founder's Room before church on December 14. We will serve one dozen of your cookies for coffee hour and send you home with at least two dozen assorted cookies.


HOLIDAY WALK CAROLERS
Singers of all ages are invited to sing Christmas Carols on December 6 on the La Grange Road steps. Why sing in the cold? To invite the community to the s'mores pit and into the Founders Room for crafts and snacks and to learn more about our active, wonderful church! Please sign up with Ryan Cox.

Fellowship Hour

TOUCH LIST