new church life:
september/october 2015
people to the Writings so the Lord Himself can lead them.
There was also a 10-point action plan from starting churches and providing
New Church education to opening a library and having a center for charitable
social work. He concluded by suggesting that the General Church can better
bring the healing teachings of the New Jerusalem from the few to the many if
we can also be dealing with the social aspect of life through establishing New
Church hospitals, charitable organizations, etc., to help with people’s physical
needs.
Many who spoke in response to the paper appreciated his passion and
enthusiasm, and assured him that they believe the Church is growing in Togo,
slowly though it may be.
‘Come Lord Jesus’
The meetings formally concluded with a worship service led by the Rev. Pearse
Frazier. He read from Revelation 3 on the contrasting churches of Philadelphia
and Laodicea. We may identify with the first as a picture of how we have the
truth and are good, while the other may describe our tendency to think that
we have no need of the truth.
To this church the Lord knocks, offering a proposal for us to open our
hearts to the truth, and a heavenly marriage between good and truth within
us. We can consent, or exercise our power to say “no.” Our power is the power
to choose hell.
For the closing he invited us to respond “Yes, come Lord Jesus” in response
to the Lord’s proposal, “Yes, I come quickly. Amen.” These are the words which
precede the familiar benediction which concludes Revelation: “The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
After a final lunch, a number of ministers concluded their week by
attending the General Church Corporation meeting in the afternoon.
The Rev. Kenneth J. Alden is pastor of the Boynton Beach New
Church in Florida and visiting pastor to Bonita Springs. He has
served also in Mitchellville, Maryland; the Carmel Church in
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada; and the Colchester New Church
in England. He and his wife, Kim (Truax), live in Lake Worth,
Florida. Contact: [email protected].
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