Introduction
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Child of God » Introduction
Between February and November 2003, the congregation of St Andrew's is working through a modern-day catechism titled "Child of God", based on a catechism developed in 1998 by the Presbyterian Church USA. In our Sunday and Wednesday worship services, small groups and our online discussion forum, we are considering a series of questions and answers which cover the whole spectrum of what we believe as a Christian church.
At the beginning of this series we published a booklet titled "Child of God ", written by our minister, Martin Fair. This was given out to worshippers, and the contents are reproduced below. You can also get a "sneak preview" of the questions and answers which we will be looking at by reading the Programme Plan.
You are welcome to join us at any point along our journey through this catechism in 2003, either online or face-to-face at St Andrew's.
I am delighted, through this brochure, to introduce to you our Preaching Programme for 2003. What you will find presented here is, in effect, a catechism that is, a programme of Christian teaching. Though it is not exhaustive, 'Child of God' does cover the principle Christian ideas and beliefs and is, thus, an ideal foundation stone upon which to build a lively Christian faith. My hope is that it will be equally helpful to those of you who are very new to these matters as to those of you who were brought up with them and have wrestled with them throughout your lives.
There is a tendency in some quarters of the Church to suggest that doctrine
doesn't really matter. As some would say, 'It doesn't matter what you think
as long as you do the right thing.' Of course, doing the right thing is
hugely important; we're called to live lives that will bring glory to God. However,
nothing is surer than this: what we do will flow out of what we believe.
Doing the right thing, in other words, is dependent on right belief
that
is, knowing God and knowing his will for our lives. The Psalmist put it this
way: 'How can a young man keep his life pure? By living it according to God's
word.' Doing follows believing.
Here, then, in 'Child of God', is a broad introduction to what Christians
believe.
'Teaching the faith', i.e. catechism, has a long tradition in the Church. One might well argue that, principally, teaching was what Jesus offered his disciples. He offered proclamation of the Good News to the masses but, to his disciples, teaching.
The focus on teaching was foundational among the Reformers, not least John Calvin who is, to us Presbyterians, our forefather in faith. In the Geneva of the early 1500's, Calvin found a church in which teaching of the Word of God had largely been neglected much to its detriment! In response, he called for 'a brief and simple summary of the Christian faith to be taught to all.'
This is exactly what we intend to offer throughout 2003. The Sunday morning message will, of course, be primary in this but use of 'Digging Deeper' on a weekly basis will, I'm sure, lead to maximum benefit.
Remember, the sermon isn't just the 20 minute slot in the service
it
doesn't finish with the 'Amen'. 'Digging Deeper' allows the sermon to echo,
to continue on in the life of the congregation. It allows for the possibility
and probability, that God will continue to speak as his people wrestle with
his Word. Fred Craddock, one of the most eminent writers of the late 20th Century
in the field of preaching, says that: 'after the sermon has ended, the members
of the congregation should find themselves thinking their own thoughts, dealing
with their own situation and being responsible for their own faith.' Further,
he writes that, 'The active participation of the listeners leads to their own
particular conclusions that are capable of transforming their particular lives.'
This is what 'Digging Deeper' makes possible. Look out for the 'Digging Deeper'
sheet on Sunday mornings or access it through our website. Use it on your own
or, better still, join a 'Digging Deeper' group.
So, there is much for us to do. Let us begin!
And you shall be my witnesses
In his first letter, Peter urges us Christians to 'be prepared to make a
defence to anyone who calls on you to account for the faith that is in you.'
It's probably true to say that most of us would rather do anything else than
talk about our faith
let alone explain it to someone else! And yet, such
is our calling. Of course, we'll never have all the answers. There is a depth
to the mystery of God that will always defy neat summarisation. However, it's
important that we be able to share something of what makes us Christians.
This was never more so than in our age. Perhaps there was a day when most people
knew the claims of the Christian faith
when, to most people, the much-loved
Bible stories were familiar. But that day is gone. Great, then, is the need
for Christians to be people who can share something of their faith. For how
else are others to come to know of God's love if not through people like us?
How are they to hear if we're not prepared to speak? And how are we to speak
if we're not sure of God's love for ourselves?
The story of God's love is the greatest story ever told! It encompasses all
of human history and yet is particular to each and every one of us. Yes, truly,
each of us can say: I am a child of God! Let us come to know that story
by heart. Let us speak of that story and live that story
as witnesses
into the whole world.