I was introduced to Alistair a number of years ago while listening to his radio program Truth for Life. The link can be found here. He began his pastoral ministry in 1975 and in 1983 became the senior pastor at Parkside. A native of Scotland, Alistair received his M.Div from the London School of Theology. He is a gifted preacher and I had always wanted to hear him in person. I was not disappointed.
Again, I had to wait in traffic for about ten minutes in order to get into the parking lot. This is a new experience for an Episcopalian! I wondered what my congregation would do if we had a traffic jam on Aurora/Hudson Road. An older gentleman greeted me warmly at the door and pointed the way to the sanctuary. My first impression was that hospitality was an important ministry in this church. The auditorium was packed for the 9:45 service and I was lucky to get a seat (chair) up against the wall slightly right of center.
The hour long service followed a similar pattern from the week before - but there were variations on a theme. An Associate pastor greeted everyone and offered the announcements - again with special intentions to guests and visitors. The eight musicians then led about 9-12 minutes of music. This congregation really sang, even with the words posted on two screens. But these hymns were some of the "chestnuts" of the faith - 'Holy Holy Holy' and 'Great Is Thy Faithfulness'. Also, the band did not play nearly as loud as the group did in Hudson last week. You could actually hear yourself sing and that was important. In addition, all of the lights in the auditorium were on so that I did not feel like I was at the theater - but actually in church worshipping God.
Next, the worship leader, who was the lead guitarist, asked all present to join in a confession of faith. What did mine eyes behold?! The confession of sin from the Book of Common Prayer, Rite One followed by the worship leader using the words of assurance and pardon from page 332 of the BCP.
The offering and rather lengthy pastoral prayer followed. Alistair then stepped on to the platform and was ready to offer the message for the day. I was fairly certain that there would be some sort of Mother's Day theme running through his sermon. I was delightfully surprised that he did not even mention this "Hallmark inflicted holiday" until the conclusion of his remarks. For his text, Alistair chose Titus 1:10-16! When was the last time you heard a preacher in the Episcopal tradition preach on the first chapter of Paul's Letter to Titus? The text reads:
"There are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision; they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what it is not right to teach. It was one of them, their very own prophet, who said, ‘Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons.’ That testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they may become sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work."
The first portion of the sermon was an exegesis of the text, information on Paul, Titus and the Christian community in Crete. But then Alistair became more focused. "The problem," he said, "was that the issues were not outside the church. The problems were INSIDE the church." He went on to add how Paul, quoting verse 16, made clear that the difficulties facing the community were a religious problem. The Church could, in fact, be a dangerous place in which to be where members of the Body "listened but did not learn, investigated but did not experience, profess Christ but did not know Him." Near the end of his twenty-five minute sermon, Alistair stated: "Until the reality of Jesus grips a church, there will always be the danger of false teachers, myths and those who wish to deny Christ by their actions." And he was not afraid to look at his flock and say that even at a place like Parkside, people did not always behave in ways which spoke to what the community professed in worship. Pretty gutsy call on a day when most folks probably came expecting to hear 'touchy-feely' stories about moms and 'Madison Avenue' ideals about love. I was impressed by the preacher's boldness.
The service ended with another prayer and an song entitled - "Jesus WIth Thy Church Abide". I was struck by the text and how the words complimented Alistair's reflections and themes presented in his sermon.
Jesus, with Thy Church abide,
Be her Savior, Lord, and Guide,
While on earth her faith is tried:
We beseech Thee, hear us.
Keep her life and doctrine pure,
Help her, patient, to endure,
Trusting in Thy promise sure:
We beseech Thee, hear us.
All her fettered powers release
Bid our strife and envy cease,
Grant the heav’nly gift of peace:
We beseech Thee, hear us.
May she guide the poor and blind,
Seek the lost until she find,
And the broken hearted bind:
We beseech Thee, hear us.
All that she has lost, restore,
May her strength and zeal be more
Than in brightest days of yore:
We beseech Thee, hear us.
May she thus all glorious be,
Spotless and from wrinkle free,
Pure and bright, and worthy Thee:
We beseech Thee, hear us.
Parkside Church in Bainbridge Township is "big time" Mega Church. The leaders of that congregation have a vision for the future that is God-centered, imaginative, and bold. There is a trust and confidence in God that God will see this inspired vision to its reality. That congregation has its eyes on the horizon and not on the near at hand. But, at the same time, there was a sense of intimacy which I experienced in the midst of all the people, classes, book store and even the cafe! God is certainly to be found in that community of faith. The Spirit is alive and well.
Love One Another - Brian
Becoming Free
Thich Nhat Hanh
Let go, and respond to the immediate needs around you. Don't get caught in some false perception of yourself. There will always be another person more gifted than you. And don't perceive your position as important, but be ready to serve at any moment. If you can let go of who you think you are, you will become free--ready to love others. If you learn to see your impermanence, you will be able to live for the moment and not miss opportunities to love by pushing things into the future.
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