I am thankful to be a Presbyterian. 

            Certainly our commitment to Christ is most important to us, and our profession of faith to be a Christian transcends all else.  What matters most is our own personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  However, faith in Christ incorporates us into the    invisible or universal church and we show that in a tangible way by joining a visible or local church body.

            Around here there is a church about every few blocks, and those churches come in all kinds of stripes and colors.  There is certainly a wide variety of choices and options for folks regarding denominational affiliation, theological beliefs, style of worship, church government, and methods of outreach.   With all that variety and with all those options, every believer ought to be able to find a church where they can worship, find good fellowship, and discover ways to use their gifts in serving the Lord.

            Even though I appreciate my affiliation with the PCA because of its strong commitment to the Word of God, its desire for reverent worship of a holy God, its understanding of salvation by God’s sovereign grace through the redemptive work of Christ, and its sincere to see the gospel proclaimed to all the nations through world missions (among other things), I am particularly  thankful today for its form of government.

            The word “Presbyterian” basically means “rule by elders.”  As a congregation you choose godly men to lead the          church and to make important decisions about the direction the church should go, the priorities it sets, the ministries in which it is involved, and the way the church worships and serves the Lord together.  The elders are to set an example for you as to what a godly person and committed believer looks like.

            We have a system of oversight that goes beyond the elders in the local church.  When a church needs help, it can call on the Presbytery to advise, assist, give counsel, and provide wisdom.  I write this piece after a meeting last night of the Presbytery’s Shepherding and Advisory Committee of which I am currently the Chairman.  It was a five hour, arduous, emotional, difficult meeting that dealt with two very serious issues in two of our churches.  A dozen teaching and ruling elders committed that time to give advice and counsel to our brothers and sisters who had sought out our help.  Both groups, I believe, left thinking they had been heard, loved, and helped. 

            We have the privilege of being a part of a church that takes the Bible seriously, that takes our membership vows seriously, that takes a call to the ministry seriously, and that takes accountability and responsibility seriously.  With all else you find at  Northpointe that helps, encourages, and assists you in your walk with Christ, be thankful that God has provided such a wonderful system that provides godly oversight and wise direction, both through local sessions and higher courts.

            Pray that God will help us to be the church that He wants us to be.  No church is perfect, by any means.  You know the old saying, “If you find a perfect church, don’t join it – as soon as you do it won’t be perfect any longer.” 

            Pray for me that I will provide you with the pastoral care and biblical teaching that you need and deserve. 

            Pray for the elders that they will have godly wisdom, genuine faithfulness, and continued growth in grace. 

            Pray for the deacons, that they will have hearts that are given to service, compassion, and mercy. 

            Pray for all of us, that we will keep our eyes on the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

                                                                                          Standing on the Promises,

                                                                                            

                                                                  Dr. Bob Schwanebeck, Senior Pastor