Embracing Love: Reflections on 'A Church that Loves'

The church that loves is the visible tagline for Polson Park Free Methodist Church. More than one person has asked, "What does that mean?" Or: "How do we live out being the church that loves?" When we think of the statement "The Church that loves", there are two dimensions.

First, you and I are the church. We begin by asking, "How am I, as a person who is part of Polson, reflecting God’s love to others? Using 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, we can do a personal inventory. Think about your relationships in your family, with others within the congregation, at work, or in your recreational activities. In prayer, ask, "How well am I living out what it means to love?" You may discover some specific situations where God is saying change is needed.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NIV)

Second, Polson Park F.M., as an organization, can examine how love is expressed. How are we prioritizing God’s priorities in our budget and ministries? A key question is: Is there a balance between inward and outwardly focused ministries? If all ministries are inwardly focused, we have lost sight of God’s call to reach out beyond ourselves. If all our energy is focused outside of ourselves, there can be an organizational collapse. It takes a healthy organization to accomplish its mission.

On Sunday, Scott Ball will share with us how love has motivated him as he has interacted with difficult people and how love has taken him to Manitoulin Island to minister. He will also challenge us to understand the importance of love in our own lives and how we, as a church, can express love through his ministry to the people on the island.

Prayer:

Father, we are reminded that we are to owe nothing but love. As we go through this day and this week, may we be generous with the love you have given to us. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.