As with each Business/Worshipful Work session, Ayanna Johnson lead the worship time preceding the assembly’s business session on Saturday morning, August 1.
In relating the feelings associated with losing traditions, children and churches, for example, she explained, we’re tempted to seek comfort from God.
“Sometimes, waiting and praying does not seem enough,” Johnson proposed. “Sometimes, in fact, the feeling after a loss is power – sometimes, God leaves us a job to do.”
“Empower us to share your vision, O God,” Johnson prayed before leading the assembly audience in exhilarating praise-based rejoicing, the 60-second exercise of free expression that Johnson has lead at each opportunity at this assembly.
Following Johnson, Jose F. Morales, associate pastor of Iglesia del Pueblo Christian Church (Hope Center) in Hammond, Ind, a historically Hispanic congregation that has evolved into a multi-cultural church. Morales urged the assembly to reclaim the blessing of the Holy Spirit.
“The Holy Spirit has fallen on bad times,” Morales proposed. “Its nature is unclear; yet, in seeking clarity, it’s not so much a question of what the spirit is, but more a question of what the spirit does.”
Morales said that often the work of the Church can be distilled, reduced and institutionalized, and left devoid of spiritual empowerment that is described, even demanded in scripture.
“Programs and coffee. That’s what we can become. But are we interested in feeling good, or doing good?” he asked.
“Truth is, our ministry, what we are really called to do, is far too great to be left to our own feeble efforts. We must reclaim that spirit of justice and creation.”
But, Morales asked, how do we inhale this Holy Breath of God Almighty? Is the General Assembly where we bless our institution or where we are re-animated, re-membered, re-invograted?
“We need a double dose of the Holy Ghost,” Morales extolled.
By: James Stuart