Anthony's Gospel Hall address

Presbyterians, Anglicans, Catholics alike recognise the same sacrament of baptism. Given we are all christed folk- what is the 'ecclesia'/the church? "The church is the people" and all are one in Christ Jesus. Where does that leave us today with our different doctrines, systematics, customs, traditions and buildings. At Hobkirk, as at Ruberslaw we have our "inherited belief systems" and yes, by virtue of separate dwellings - we are 'hefted' to our own territory. If there is one thing both the Union and linkage will have opened our eyes to, it is that sites/buildings of worship, precious to us individually and important to be maintained - need not divide us. "The church is the people" wherever it meets. What matters as a Christian is the commonality of faith experience - detached from the physical trappings. All of us have something to share, something to give, a spiritual well to draw-on. Christ opens our eyes to His needs for us and His world. How do we stand with God? That is the question!

St.Paul talked about being "transformed by the renewing of our minds" Just as the first disciples, we too need to see that the real work that needs to be done is "in there" (in the heart) and "out there" - it is not "up there" - sharing with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus has ascended to His father, your father and my father in heaven: The real "church work" is in our daily lives, in the reflection of our love for the family, our neighbours, our sharing of the love of Christ. If this is not found, what is? Too many of us are "furrow Christians" - content to plough are own weary way, selective in our choice of friends and the neighbourhood we choose to share. The truth is Christ is everywhere present. By the power of his Holy Spirit, God is changing lives every day. As we circulate week by week through the year around the churches of Hobkirk & Southdean and Rubersiaw, one thing permeates my mind - God is not to be found in one territory, one place, one church alone, God is at all times and in all places to be found. How do we get this message to break through the "tunnel vision" of our clouded minds. 'The Lord dwelleth not in temples made with hands". God forbid but if, by some quirk of fate, some disaster, some national crisis, we were all forced to manage without our churches - how would we fair? If Christians were forced to share the treasures of their own faith and worship together what would happen? (War?)

"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head". The "church" is in actual fact the harvest field, the field is the world and we are the harvesters. We must find new ways of "taking the church to the people".