The Body

As we were driving by the Central meeting house Sunday morning on our way to Wauseon, Savannah said, "I want to go to our church!" It's true that we are all rather attached to our church family and miss being there already. It is within that milieu that we find our primary identity and growth and belonging.

That reality not withstanding, it has been a blessing to worship with other brothers and sisters in Christ during sabbatical. On Sunday, June 8 we worshiped with Tedrow Mennonite Church. This past Sunday we were with the N. Clinton congregation. Who knows where we might end up next Sunday while we are in Florida because we would like to worship with some non-Menno folks as well.

At Tedrow, I was impressed with the youth and children, and the way people related to each other. There was evident life and love! This is incredible in light of an impending pastoral transition. It is a testament, I believe, to Randy Nafziger's faithful leadership and to the commitment of the core of this body of believers.

At N. Clinton, we were invited into earnest worship. Folks had gathered to give glory to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Such love for the Lord cannot help but bind people together and inspire mission. Bravo!

These observations about Tedrow and N. Clinton are likely not revelation to those who make up those congregations. They already know, at least at an intuitive level. It does seem important to notice these on occasion, however, so that we all remember with conviction that the Lord is alive and well and doing miracles wherever He chooses. Wherever, with whomever, and however He chooses to do His work is a cause for our celebration.

Central, Tedrow, and N. Clinton are unique congregations with different strengths. Worship is different in each, as is the personality of the gathered body. The individuals that make up each are obviously different. Despite this, I was far more impressed with the continuity that I found amongst the three groups than our differences. Perhaps it is because we all are NW Ohio Buckeyes. Perhaps it is because we are all Mennos.

I suspect that there is something greater at work: the Spirit of God moving, encouraging, blessing, and activating. The Spirit most certainly has not given up on us being a unified people working in different ways in different places with a single goal. That goal, whether one is a Central or Tedrow Mennonite, a Mexican Catholic, a Korean non-denominational, or a Nigerian Pentecostal, is to proclaim, like Jesus did, that the kingdom of God has drawn near.

May the Spirit of Christ Jesus make it so to His honor and glory.



~ Jeff