Our journey through our core values continues this week with a review of the following core value: Godly Relationships: devoting ourselves to one another in our homes, in our church family, and in the community.
This core value speaks to one of the greatest resources at Charles Town Presbyterian Church: the people! Whenever I lead a new member’s class, I ask those in attendance what drew them to the church. I always get answers like, “The worship and,” or “The Sunday School and,” or “The preaching and,” And guess what always follows the “and” in that answer? The people!
The reason this core value was adopted by the session in 2005 is because we recognized how important relationships are to a church. That led to a discussion about which relationships we were talking about. Well, honestly, all of them. One does not stop being a Christian outside the church or inside the walls of one’s home. When one is a Christian, one has the duty to pursue godliness in every relationship.
One of the most important ways Christians spread the gospel is through relationships. When Jesus was challenged as to what commandment was most important, he told those asking, “To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.’ But then, without being asked, he said this, “The second is just as important, to love your neighbor the same way you love yourself.”
One of the clear tests of our love for God is how we treat others. If we understand how much God loves us, we are willing to share that love with others by going the extra mile, and treating them in a way that pleases God. I am proud of the way this congregation continually demonstrates this core value. In fact, if you look at the newsletter closely, you’ll find a perfect example of what this core value is all about.
Brothers and Sisters, keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Pastor John
