Romans 3:19-26 - October 29, 2023 - Reformation Sunday

We are not the church we used to be. 

And I’m not just talking about the church that was formed 500 years ago when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg. We - St. Philip Lutheran in Myrtle Beach, SC - we are not the church we used to be: fifty years ago, twenty-five years ago, five years ago, one year ago, or even a month ago. 

Looking back at the history of "church," especially mainline Protestant churches, there was a golden era when everything seemed perfect. Abundant buildings, thriving budgets, and countless people; everything revolved around the church, not just spiritually, but also physically and socially.

But over the years, that has changed. Because of differences in living patterns, churches are no longer physically central to the town square. Because of the array of activities, groups, and social connections, the church is no longer the sole hub for social gatherings and friendships. These, among many other factors, have contributed to the decline many churches are experiencing, with fewer attendees, reduced ministry, and aging buildings. St. Philip, too, had a tough stretch of decline. For many reasons, it was definitely not the church it used to be in its heyday. 

Some people perceive change as a loss; and the truth is, any change, even if it's for the better, involves some level of loss. The question about change, then, is whether the other side of it is worth the suffering and the loss. 

Part of what makes change worthwhile is holding on to the best of what was. Even if things change, bringing values and history and tradition through the change and into the future… well, that can make change - and even the loss of some things - worthwhile. 

We are not the church we used to be. 

We at St. Philip have faced low points in our history, that is true. But we've moved beyond much of that. The pain and hurt from years ago don't define who we are now. Memories, often seen through rose-colored nostalgia, aren't brought up in a "if we could only go back" kind of way. The changes, surprises, and disappointments of the past have all shaped us, brought us to who we are today. 

We are not the church we used to be. We are changed. 

We are the church called to serve in this place and time, to the people around us right now. We are engaged in a variety of ministries, and our stewardship campaign has seen a great response, with giving intent higher than ever before. We are open, welcoming, generally happy, and supportive, offering opportunities for everyone to serve. We've made conscious decisions over the years not to stay put but to reform, grow, move forward in faith, and to move forward together. 

We are not the church we used to be. We are changed. And I think that’s a good thing. 

On this Reformation Sunday, we have the opportunity to reflect on who we are and why we exist as a church and congregation.

This is what the Reformation was about. Luther noticed that the Church had strayed. When he read the Bible, what stood out to him was not what the Church was emphasizing. Instead of love, it was indulgences; instead of grace, it was law. Luther aimed to return to the core of the Gospel, sharing a God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. This, Luther thought, is what should be preserved. 

And despite all that has changed in recent decades, years, and even months, that is why we still are the church we used to be. We still are the church we used to be. 

We are the same because of Jesus and what he has done for us and for the world. We are the same because we proclaim Christ and him crucified. We are the same because grace is our guiding principle: “We are now justified by grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” That is the heart of who we are. 

We are a church that remains unchanged in its commitment to the Good News. We remain unchanged in trusting that God’s love extends to all people, every people, each and every broken sinner there is. We are unchanged in the simple truth that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves you, Jesus loves the world. This is what we will preserve; this is what we will carry on; this is what will never change. 

Believe it or not, people actually hunger for Good News. People actually long for grace in their lives. People actually want to know they are loved for who they are, not who they pretend to be. Jesus has given this to us to share with the world, through invitation, community, serving, and the meal.

The world in front of us is nothing like what is behind us, but God still calls us to be faithful to the Gospel in this ever-changing world. Following Jesus and being a faithful church means we should always be reforming and changing to keep spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are to preserve what needs preserving, share what needs to be shared, and follow where God leads.

This type of reformation doesn't answer many questions. In fact, it raises new ones. How do we fit all this preserving, sharing, and following into what God is calling us to do and be, here and now?

One tangible way we continue to reform is through our meals for the homeless. It's service, sharing the Good News of God's love through warm food and hospitality. But it began very differently by making simple sandwiches after worship. Over time, it evolved and expanded, offering even more ways to share Jesus' love. We started welcoming anyone and everyone to come in and eat - to be served. We offer to-go bags with snacks and sandwiches. In November, we will pass out backpacks with a blanket, socks, and toiletries. What we started off doing was good, and we preserved the core of what was - but we also reformed it to keep sharing the Good News in better ways. 

Worship, too, is an important way we share the Good News.

One significant part of worship is music. Recent changes may have caused some anxiety and fear that things will never be the same. However, God has gifted us tremendously. Worship continues, and it has uncovered gifts and joys within our community of faith. Choirs, bells, and the organ continue to proclaim God's goodness. Plus, we are about to embark on a new chapter of reforming the music ministry, which will bring change and differences of their own, but I know John (our new DoMM) will continue to proclaim God's goodness and expansive welcome through quality music and praise.

Fellowship, community, conversations, and support are essential to our faith life. Beauty, awe, and inspiration are all important to worship and gathering. Communion is a meaningful, central, spiritual piece of worship, where God feeds our souls and stomachs. At the meal, we are all welcomed, forgiven, and nourished.

Through our Forward Together capital campaign, renovations are planned to reform this space and further emphasize these essential elements in proclaiming the Good News. Through these changes, we will be inspired by the people we gather with, the music we sing together, the ability for everyone to gather around the table… and to be sent out, changed and reformed, all the while rooted in God’s eternal, all-encompassing love.

We are still preserving and communicating God's love, grace, and welcome through service, music, the meal, and fellowship, as we have for 65+ years. This is most certainly true.

On this day, this Reformation Sunday, we are reminded to preserve what needs to be preserved, but we also get permission to dream; dream a little about how we can preserve it in a way that is more: more loving, more gracious, more welcoming, better than what we already do. 

And we get to do it for a world that is coming, not a world that was. 

We get to share the Good News of God in our words, in our music, in our serving, all so we can be the church God is making us to be.