Dietrich Bonhoeffer lived during a day when the Church faced challenges under the government of Nazis that we can scarcely imagine today. While it would be great to say that the Church actually flourished in Germany in those days, it would not actually be true, because those were dark day for all of humanity as well as the Church. In a real way, the Church was not up to the task.

So, today we are faced with challenging times, that while I do not believe that they are necessarily from God, I do believe that God can do great things in the midst of them with a Church that is ready to Be the Church. Especially as we cannot, at this time, really be the Church within the walls of the Church, and therefore are compelled to imagine what the Church really is outside of the walls. Outside the Walls, where the Church was always meant to be.

Bonhoeffer goes on to say, “It is a great comfort which Jesus gives to his church. ‘You confess, preach, bear witness to Me, and I alone will build where it pleases Me. Do not meddle in what is not your providence. Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough… Live together in the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive each other every day from the bottom of your hearts.’”

And we are the Church when we exist, operate, minister, move, and are moved for others. In these days, God has given you an unprecedented opportunity to simply exist as the Church, and you do that as close as your next door neighbor and all the way to the ends of the earth.

So, you don’t have too look far, and you do not have to go far. Just take the opportunity to show Jesus through acts of love, compassion, kindness and mercy right where you live. You never know exactly what God has in store for you.

So, why not find out right now! Dare to be the Church!

Pastor Brady