Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh, Senior Pastor

Courage and Independence • July 3

I’ve been thinking a lot about independence; independence as a nation and the church. Wow! Independence is fundamentally about being missional. A missional church is one where “bearing witness” is the heart of the church’s ministry.  

We’ve got to undergo conversion in order to be faithful to the great commandments of loving God, loving neighbor and going to the city, nation and ends of the earth with the good news. Help me figure this out!

The church must break free from culture’s definition of and hold on it. The kingdom of God is near.    

On Saturday, our country celebrates its 233rd anniversary of independence from the British. That’s amazing. How did independence happen? The colonists believed in fundamental principles that they should live their lives independently from foreign rule.

Do you remember when the apostle Peter was confronted by the religious and governing authorities and ordered to be quiet? When so ordered, Peter said, “We must speak what we have seen and heard.” Peter knew independence in Christ.   

I’ve been pondering the meaning of independence for our country. Does our flag convey any meaning of America? Is the explicit visual message of the Stars and Stripes that America is simply a country that originally had 13 states and currently has 50? As a nation are we a “we"? Are we one people or several? Are we multicultural, bicultural or unicultural?

I’ve been contemplating the meaning of independence for the church. Are we a “we”? Is Jesus one way among many or the way? Is abortion a sin or simply a form of contraception? Is the Bible God’s Word or a helpful book of good counsel and advice?  

I’m concluding that being “we” as a country and the church takes courage. Independence is about revival, is it not? Being missional as a country and the church necessitates revival. O God, revive the church. O God, revive those who call Eastminster their church home. O God, revive me.