Pastor Ponderings

It’s adiaphora

That is what my Homiletics professor would say to someone who would get fixated on something that really wasn’t that big of a deal. For example, my class was setting up the sanctuary for a service and two of my classmates were having a heated discussion of where the candles should be placed. “Folks, it’s adiaphora,” my professor chimed in.

She wasn’t trying to be dismissive or curt, she was trying to remind us all that there are things that are necessary and important to stand up for, and then there are things that are adiaphora. These are things that are not essential to the Christian faith, such as the placement of candles.

Because we are not able to meet together and have our usual worship service, or do our usual mission projects, or have our usual meetings, we have been forced to change and reconsider how we do things. We are starting to see what really is adiaphora.

We have started a new sermon series, “The Essentials.” During this time we will be looking at bible stories that show us what God thinks is essential. We will look at stories about community, faithfulness, and love. We will see how God calls us to lift one another up, support one another, and love one another throughout all seasons of life.

In 2 Corinthians Paul talks about things that are essential to life. He says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Of all the things God gifts us, of all the things we have the ability to do, the greatest is love.

Now that we are in a time when we are unable to meet, and be near one another, let us always remember that the one things that is essential above all else to to love God and to love our neighbor. Until we meet again, grace and peace be with you.
 - Pastor Rebekah

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