Essentials
Christ is, has been, and will remain the cornerstone for Moravians, despite strife
By Robert Sawyer
Winston-Salem Journal guest columnist
The Moravian Church has been a topic of discussion in the Winston-Salem Journal in recent weeks, and we as leaders of the church want to be clear to the public about our church, its work and devotion. We want to share our joyful experience of the priceless gift of salvation that God gives us in the person of his son, Jesus Christ. We have given our lives to Christ and nothing is more important to us than our faith in him. Confidently and boldly, we proclaim that Jesus Christ is and remains Lord and savior for each of us and for our church.
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Moravians learned long ago that our unity is in the person of Jesus Christ. He died for us and calls us to put aside self-will so that God can bring unity and power to the church's witness. In humility, we only seek to follow him. Our worldwide missionary effort grew out of our ancestors' experience of unity in Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, which enabled them to overcome theological disagreements. Recent communitywide publicity that focuses on disagreements is detracting from our witness. This is regrettable because the needs in the world are so great. We do not want anything to divert energy from our primary task: bearing witness to love of God through Jesus in our words and deeds. So let us clear up a few matters.
We cannot discuss personnel decisions publicly or break confidence, but we do want the community to know that decisions about the status of ordained clergy are made after months of careful deliberation. When the call of a pastor was terminated recently, it was because he insisted that his convictions prevented him from fulfilling his ordination vows, particularly his responsibilities to the province and the larger church. Commitment to Christ as Lord and savior is always of greatest importance, but responsibilities to the province are not optional. We do not agree with the Journal editorial's interpretation that he was terminated over financial issues ("Moravian Struggles," May 6). Further details about our decisions in recent years are available on the Southern Province's Web site (www.mcsp.org).
We also want people in this region to understand that the doctrine and polity of the Moravian Church have not changed. As individuals and as congregations we are part of a province. As a province we are part of a worldwide unity of Moravian believers.
We are responsible to one another and all to the Lord. We place great value on interdependence and mutual accountability through our synods and province-wide ministries. Our 2002 Synod asked Moravian congregations to study our doctrinal statements, and this has been a blessing for many people. People may also find our doctrinal statements on our Web site.
Most of all, we want the public to know that Moravians are excited about ministry and service. We are excited about Iglesia Morava Cordero de Dios (Lamb of God Moravian Church), a new congregation based in Waughtown that includes small group ministries in several parts of Forsyth County.
We are excited about our new Habitat for Humanity building projects. We are serving the hungry and the homeless, and we continue to promote racial justice.
You will find Moravian pastors going about the business of preaching Christ, caring for souls, praying and serving day after day. They are deeply committed to Jesus Christ as savior and Lord. Much of their time is spent serving and equipping the people of their congregations, but they also serve the Southern Province and the international Moravian Unity in different ways.
There is a Moravian painting depicting a deeply rooted and healthy vine with many branches (based on John 15:5). Each location of Moravian witness is represented by a leaf on one of the branches.
There is a deep desire in the hearts of Moravians to abide in Jesus. We do not see the details of the future, but we know the savior who leads us. With confidence in him and trusting in the unlimited grace of God, we step forward in faith.
Sawyer is the president of the Provincial Elders' Conference of the Moravian Church's Southern Province.
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