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At this halfway point of our July pulpit exchange, one of the most powerful impressions I have had is how similar our congregations are. Yes, we are separated by an ocean and thousands of miles. Yes, many cultural differences could be named. But when it comes to the life of the body of Christ, the things we hold in common vastly outnumber the little details that differ. As I see it, Larchmont Avenue Church and the Avendale and Drumclog Church are very much the same in all the ways that really count.
Writing back in the 16th century, the Reformer John Knox already knew this to be the case. As the primary draftsman for The Scots Confession, he said that “the Kirk” (his chosen term for “the Church”) is both “catholic” and “universal.” What he meant was that the church is made up of people from all “ages… realms, nations, and tongues.” He also said that two primary indicators that we are part of the “true Kirk” are seen wherever and whenever (1) the Word of God is being preached and (2) the sacraments of Christ are being rightly administered.
Obviously, both of our congregations are meeting this basic test, but there are many other ways that affirm that we, together, are part of the same holy Kirk. Both congregations are working hard to pass our faith on to the next generation. Both strive to celebrate the joys in their midst, such as the rose anniversary we celebrated this past Sunday at Avendale. Both are also committed to sharing heavy burdens and caring for the brokenhearted, as LAC is doing for Liz Nabholz after the death of her father and for the Godwin family in their recent loss. Both depend heavily on the talents and contributions of volunteers to create spaces for fellowship and structure for worship. And both continue to find vitality, health, and meaning in the life of faith.
Though we may be separated by miles, cultures, and many other things, these weeks in July are affirming the fact that our truest identities are in essence the same. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, worshiping one God, with one faith, together always in the one true Kirk.
Blessings,
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