July Update

Dear friends, 

A number of recent media stories have done a fair bit to bring the Church of Jesus Christ, and some of its leaders, in particular into significant question. This is always sad for all of us who love the Lord and His Church, but it doesn't mean we need to lose hope in the Church or in the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Like many of the classic doctrines, the Church is a blend of human and divine. It is human because it is made up of people like you and me, and so we bring to the life of the church all our creativity and gifts, but also all our baggage and brokenness. Some of us may have high expectations of the community of the redeemed, but those of us who have been around the Church for a long time know all too well its limitations. That doesn't excuse them, and certainly doesn't make it 'OK' if leaders take advantage of their position and power, but it does help us to remember that even people we hold in high regard and esteem, are also broken, fallible disciples. 

But the Church is also divine. No other community on earth has been so diverse and achieved so much good in the twenty centuries of our existence. Human rights, hospitals, adoption agencies, law and order, trade unions and workers rights, education and much more all owe their origins to the servant-oriented mission of the Church. Fellowship and friendship at its best is discovered in the community of God's people and when the Church is on its 'A-game' there is nothing that rivals it. It is our continued privilege at PMCH to see people's lives changed and improved by the service of our people in all sorts of environments such as the Foodbank Hub, children and families work, the pastoral care and support given and so much more. So there is much about the church to celebrate and rejoice in. 

Don't give up too easily on the Church, Jesus loves the Church and died for it. It is God's unique instrument in the world to reach people with the knowledge of His glory and love. When we fail at our task, we seek truth, justice and reconciliation, and continue to seek the help of God's Spirit until together, we are what He has called and created us to be, 

With love, 

Gareth