2022/05/08 Renew My Church REFLECTION

-Alex Mestre, Pastoral Council Member

We’re all familiar with the crisis of faith in today’s western world – it’s impossible to ignore. We see it in the headlines; we see it in our friends & family; we see it reinforced every day in an increasingly secular culture that views Jesus as a swear word and nothing more.

Many look at these trends and declare that we are living in a post-Christian society. I disagree. I believe we are living in a pre-Christian society, with countless lives waiting to be transformed by the healing touch of Christ – the Prince of Peace; the Truth, the Way, and the Life.

In every age and especially today’s age, we are called to renew Christ’s Church. Indeed, the Church as we know it is calibrated for a world that no longer exists. We must recalibrate the Church for not just the 21st century, but the new millennium.

The core of Renew My Church is this: how do we evangelize in a secular world? We don’t have a clear path ahead, but neither did the first disciples. In fact, we have more in common with the first disciples than we may realize. Like them, we live in a society that is not always supportive of our faith. We share the same commission from Jesus to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). We take comfort in His promise that our work will not be in vain (Matthew 16:18). And we each have a role to play.

Friends, being Christian is not a hobby or a spectator sport. As followers of Christ, we believe we are part of the greatest story ever told. That’s right – part of it – as in, we play a role. We are called to be missionary and go out, not to stay in and be an exclusive club. The mission field is not far away in some other country – it’s right here in our back yard.

Renewal depends on us. So, I ask each of you: what will your role be in this movement of renewal?