Manger Jesus versus Love in Action Jesus

Manger Jesus versus Love in Action Jesus

Rev. Dr Yvette Flunder is a popular UCC preacher who comes from a strong Evangelical tradition. She observes that there are two kinds of churches. One emphasizes personal salvation and the other kind emphasizes a strong ministry of social justice issues,i.e. reaching out to those most in need. She wishes that the two sides could be “homogenized” into one congregation.

The Bath church Mission Board is impressed with the fact that our congregation does represent a combination of both a deep personal, spiritual religious experience and also the need to relate to those in need i.e. justice for those marginalized economically, socially and by circumstances beyond their control.

The baby Jesus lying in a manger attracts us to a warm and dramatic personal relationship with the Lord. God Incarnate demonstrating God’s infinite love for each of us. But the Gospel Jesus went on to live and preach challenges us to relate to others most in need.

As the Mission Board reviews the many, many activities of “reaching out” by members of this church we celebrate the fact that our congregation represents the ideal combination. A “homogenization” of a strong evangelical personal closeness to Jesus with an active outreach to those less fortunate.

The evidence is there in our manifold mission projects made possible by so many in our congregation who are motivated by their personal commitment to Jesus. Those who are signing up to work amongst the devastation in Haiti in January are the most recent examples of Bath Christians living out their deep personal commitment to God by serving those most in need.

Praise God! and God Bless and keep you safe on this “mission” We will pray for you and support you.

The Bath Mission Board.