Perceptions
I hope you are enjoying the first week of Christianity and World Religions through the message series and as we meet in small groups to learn more about the major faith groups in our world.
I think this discussion is critically important from both humanitarian and theological perspectives. I find this study and the sermon preparation personally challenging as I seek to represent accurately and fairly the basic faith tenets of other religions as well as discuss the differences and similarities to Christianity.
The importance of building bridges based on respect, sensitivity and civility with people of other faiths while at the same time adhering to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world are not in my opinion mutually exclusive but a faithful witness to the gospel. One thing I have learned is that I better understand Jesus looking through the prism of another faith.
The subject of World Religions not only helps us to think about people of other faiths but also of brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. Schweitzer has for several years had a covenant relationship with a congregation in Mozambique: Quequere United Methodist Church. We provide financial support for this congregation in one of the most impoverished nations in the world. Quequere is receiving a new pastor, the Rev. Carlos Manuel Matsinhe as he was appointed at their December Annual Conference. Let’s offer this congregation and their new pastor our prayer support in addition to our financial commitment as they offer a faithful witness of Christ on the continent of Africa.
I also would extend an invitation to any group or individuals in the church who would like to send an email of greeting to Quequere and Rev. Matsinhe via
the Mozambique Initiative representative, Ezequiel Nhantumbo at mozinitiative@teledata.miz. It’s one of the ways we can extend a personal greeting and maintain a relationship with our brothers and sisters across the
world.
We need to think more globally…and build relationships with people who are different than us…Jesus taught us that…it’s part of what I think it means to be a
representative of Christ.
I hope to see you in worship this weekend. --Bob
Sunday, 27-01-08 16:34
Pastor Bob,
In today's sermon (1/27), you made a statement to the effect that Islam was the last of the major religions established since the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I was curious as to your thoughts on The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. Do you not consider them a major religion or is that something you addressed in a earlier sermon which I missed?