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10/18/2007         From Chris Deacon

Every seminary student (at least in Louisville) has to write a statement of faith. In it we have to articulate what we believe as far as God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Sin, etc. It is usually a major undergoing and something most students struggle through. As I have been working on what I believe about the Church, I have been thinking about how it applies to Fourth Presbyterian.

In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul describes the Church as the body of Christ. As the body of Christ, the Church should continue the works of Christ. The first way we do this is by living in community, both with each other and with God through the Holy Spirit. This is something that we definitely have do at Fourth. All my friends who have come and visited have talked about how welcoming the community is at Fourth. It is a family atmosphere, where all are welcomed. Another way the Church continues the work of Christ is sharing the revelation of God's will that was done through Christ. We do this through our worship service, our Sunday School, and our Wednesday night program. By praying together, silently our aloud, serving as liturgist, taking communion, participating in a baptism, singing in the choir, or listening to the service, we are all helping to spread the word of God. The final way the Church continues the work of Christ is through reaching out the downtrodden and those that society has forgotten. Fourth does this through its work with MUSCL and the other ministries it is involved with.

I think that Fourth is a great example of the Church as the body of Christ, by continuing Christ's work. We live in community with each other and God, we share the revelation of God's will through our participation in worship, and we reach out to those that need help.

Faithfully,
Chris