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ABBA MINISTRIES OF CANADA
IN THE SERVICE OF CHRIST...
ABBA PASTORS SHARE THEIR WISDOM
AND INSIGHT
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Christ Present in this World
by Chaplain Moira Bell, 2008
Abba ~
Allowing the Christ inside to be present in this world
Being practical support and compassion to those in need
Bringing a sense of hope to those who are hopeless
Action based on our faith, always grounded in Christ's love.
Many people in our world are hurting, are searching for something that will give their lives meaning. Some of these people have been hurt by organized religion. Some are the victims of abuse, others have been rejected by a cookie-cutter type of religion that they could not or would not fit into. People are searching for belonging, for the peace that comes from knowing that someone truly cares about you, for the anchor that only God can bring into their hearts and lives...
We are not about church buildings - we are about reaching out, bringing gloves to warm cold hands, bringing food to fill empty stomachs, bringing peace to restless and empty hearts, bringing hope to people who can't see tomorrow for the darkness that surrounds them. We are blessed to have this God presence, this light of Christ that burns in our hearts. We are called to share that with others, to be Christ in their lives.
Sounds good, but how do we do this - how do we move forward in practical tangible ways that can be seen and measured?
God has sent me this image of a tree - the ground the tree is growing in is Christ - his love, his constant presence in our hearts, in our world. The roots of the tree are Abba - growing out of Christ's love, reaching up into the world, reaching towards all people and reaching always towards God. In the spring we can see tree buds reaching towards the heavens, seeking what they need to grow. In the same way, we are reaching towards God, discerning the path God wants us to walk down, always anchored in Abba and grounded in Christ's love.
The branches of this tree symbolize the different paths, the different pieces that make up the whole of Abba. Some of the branches are prayer branches, one-to-one opportunities to talk and listen to our God. Some of the branches are marriage branches - representing the possibilities serving as a witness to marriage brings us to minister to families, to celebrate the joy and beauty of the love of husband and wife, which reflects the love God has for each of us. Other branches are "journeying with" branches - being a quiet pastoral presence with people in their daily lives. This can be conscious - a meeting with someone to help them get on track with something that is preventing them from connecting or reconnecting with God - or less formal – talking with people you meet wherever you happen to be - street ministry and the practical ministry of presence in the workplace. Some of the branches represent people in need - those who are in financial need - the homeless, the unemployed, the hungry, the cold. Others are in spiritual need - abuse survivors, those who are abandoned, those who are disenfranchised and marginalized, those who are dying. Still other branches represent new life - the beauty and wonder of children - from baptism, to young adulthood. How amazing to journey with young people - whether they are in financial need or spiritual need. They truly are a gift from God who give so much to those who come into contact with them. Other branches are the midwifery of dying - from journeying with someone who is dying, to providing funeral support and ongoing bereavement support for those who mourn.
The prayer support offered to each other in Abba, and the knowledge that others want to share the passion and joy that is Christ with all people, regardless of the things that often divide us – these are the differences that make us Abba. We don't give people hoops to jump through - we accept all people, because we believe that we are all God's children, created equal and loved equally in His sight.
As we all know, originally Christianity was celebrated and worshipped in small group settings. I think we are moving back towards that - back to the beginning - back to the source. Maybe we need to be on the cutting edge of the searching I mentioned at the beginning. As people's needs are not being met in large institutionalized settings, they are looking for something to feed them. We have many talents and expertises amongst our Pastors - maybe we should compile a small group prayer package - with Pastors' music as well as scripture and prayers - and try to send it to a publishing firm...
I am absolutely sure God intends Abba to keep growing. God needs us to keep spreading the Good News and helping those in need. To continue with the tree image - I see all of our Pastors as part of the caretaking and growing of the tree that is Abba - through tithes, prayer support, donations, the witness of our personal lives, our testimonies, and most importantly our faith in action. How blessed we are to be part of this sacred ministry. Praise God!!!
