"No Longer Reformed"

Sunday is Reformation Sunday - the anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 THESES on the sanctuary door in Wittenburg, Germany, in an act that sparked what we now call the Reformation. I wonder how many people in the pews in Presbyterian churches Sunday could describe what the Reformation was or what it means to be part of the Reformed tradition.

In fact, I suspect that there are many in our pews on any given Sunday morning who would have a hard time articulating what it means to be Presbyterian, at least from an historical or theological perspective. Should we rejoice or lament over that reality?

this week's sermon reflects on the growing lack of denominational loyalty. I may even push the reflections to consider how we interact on a broader scale as we live a time when our neighbors may not be Methodist or Baptist, but Muslim or some other non-Christian tradition.

Should we embrace the lack of loyalty to the Presbyterian church and focus on our Christian calling with little regard to being Reformed and Presbyterian? Or should we work to indoctrinate members and potential members in the Presbyterian tradition?

Luther's mantra was "the Church reformed always reforming." How are we re-forming now, and how do we live out our Christian calling in that context?

Peace,

Richard