PRE:ACHIDIG - The Wesley Center Online

term for smgmg_ praying, scr'ipture absolutions. He does not convey expression too: educational achieve- marvels of design and color; mysreading,
voluntaries, special items, magical merit or inspire mindless meat, safe travel, legitimatepride in teries of bounty and barrenness inand
offering that precede the ser- chants of Baal OrKrishna. Christ has the success of loved ones, invested spire awe and wonder•
men. This is an unacceptable term if • "died once for all. He is the risen Lord unselfish talent, good books with '"Thank you foryour message, Pasit
implies, as it could sometimes reigning.in the midst of an eternal humor, wise stewardship, and warm tor," is a heartening tribute as serseem,
'.'unbssentials" to be shortened throne.and resident in His Church hbspitality .The world of nature is vic'es close. "If I did not.come _o hear
or oinittedfis if in comparison with tl_rough the Holy Spirit. He alone is not neglected in the shepherd soul's you preach, I would come to hem: you
preaching they count but little, to be loved_ honoied, and adored m Outpouring: its laws; rhythm 0fbirth, pray," is the greatest tribute.a pas_
• It is here, if anywhere, the pastor the churchi the one Mediator be- il life, and death; myriad forms of life; . torsi hear could covet. " "
is priest, exemplifying and inspiring tween Godand man as faith=is the
the _vomhip of his people, "and pre- one medium by which salvation and _
senting,their hearts and lives.before sacramental 'grace are appropriated. -._..-:.:_
God in the fresh focus of the pas- ASprophet the pastor dec!ares this • :"..'- "
torsi-family prayer.- Well-chosen saving word of full salvation to men.
hymns.of adoration, .confidence, fel-. As priest he gathem the needs of his
lowshipl supplication, theology, and people to andupon his heart, and "
testimony combining in poetry and bears theme-and bares them--bepraise.will
give release and atmo- fore the throne of grace as Aaron earsphere
for the opening invocation. ried the names of Israel's tribes upon
special.music, and clear,.impressive his.breastplate. Never more so than
'reading of God's Word. A people who in a pastoral-family prayer that is the
have expressed.themselves wortllily, unifying andunburdening of a conthoughtfully,
and emotionally in re. gregation's soul in the Father's house
hewing worship are most open to be On thhir Lord's day. He, Jesus, is in - . .
_mPressed by. the sermon-message, themidst of the Church and in every
It is a slight against God and man phase of its corporate, common life;
Through Him the Christian's sac-
for the "preliminaries" to be insipid
Methodist Class Meetings: ....
or impoverished. They are of right rifice, altar, and priest, thepastor
and necessity worship indeed--so .leads his people into theholy of holies The Geniusof Christian Intimacy
much so that the term .is etymol- " of: communion, confession, and
ogicany correct in usage, but almost cleansing_ - - By Larry Shelton"
a misnomer in.parlance and practice. . His prayer, preferably extempore, -
They are not grace before meat; a is thelanguage of love's involvement
courtesy before e prepared meal; a and intercessiom JOY," sympathy, . -
calling card laid aside upon the or- sorrow, penitence, confidence, grati- "[_rUCH ATTErCrIONhas been given to p. 189). Wesley's answer is classic:
rival ofan important personage; a tude, hope, mystery, agony, and faith 1_'11 John Wesley's ecclesiasfical I answer. That which never existed,
short driee'to a large.house or a long " are blended. His faith and concern organization• His purpose was not to cann6t be destroyed . . Who watched
address. They are a m_jor part of the touch all ages and every area of life. found a new structure for schisms- over them [converts] in love? Who
spiritual menu and me_; the warmth Children, teens, singles, and mar- tics,, but to care .for souls. H_ was marked their growth in grace?.Who adand
welcome of a Presence in prepsration
for a message; the vestibule
and tour Of a beautiful mansion betied
young adults: parents, grandparents,
all ages and sta_es of life "
assemble ifi his petitioning. HeartS.
task-oriented, not program-oriented,
His organization was always for the
pastoral purpose of nurturing the
converts who had come to Christ
visedtime?.andwhoeXhortedprayed
withthem themfr°m andtime fort° :
them, as they had need._ This, and this
alone, isChristian fellowship. But, alas!
Where is it to be found? Look east or
fore.the
talk with
privilege
the Owner.
of a heart-to-heart
.sponsibilities,
homes, families,
privilegesi
friendships,
memories
re- through .his preaching: In establish- west, north or south; name what parish
Only in order of servme are pre- and hopes touch him deeply. The ing the Methodist societies, he 'faced you please: is this Christian fellowship
liminaries preliminaries. The pastor- world of denial and handicap is.his:, the'criticism that he wa/_ causing a there? Rather, are not fhe bulk ofthe
priest has neither part nor place in loneliness in all its forms; bereave- .. schisn_ in the church and destroying • parishioners a mere rope of sand? What
bygone or unchristian systems of meat; affliction of body, mind, and existing fellowship -(A. S. Wood,. Christian connection is there between
'sacrifice:.seledtion of substitutionary spirit; limitation of sight, hearing, " John -Wesley: The Burning Heart, .them? things? What watching intercourse, overeach in. spiritual other's.
.victims, - bloodshedding,, atoning speech, or movement. The glad and . "AMistant pastor.First.Wt_leyanChurch.High souls?. What bearing of one another's
penances, indulgences, or formal beautiful, things of 'life find happy 'Poim.N.C. - '• burdens?...'We introduce Christianfel-
8 The Preacher's Magazine November, 1977 9