Nobody wants to fall ill. But it can – even in the church – have a positive side effect: you become more focused on what really matters, and the trivial things become less important.
That is exactly what Karin and I experienced when we recently travelled as volunteers on the hospital ship, the Prins Willem Alexander. Many guests and volunteers come from (across the whole of) the CGK and from various other churches. Due to their physical disabilities, this week’s sailing trip for the guests, the only way they could still go on holiday. Unfortunately, the CGK are currently going through a divorce. But during our sailing week, all our differences did not stand in the way of a wonderful and blessed week spent together. On Sunday, we even celebrated Holy Communion together! Despite our diversity in faith and religious practice, we felt united in the Lord, the one God, our God, and in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Connection
I often encounter this sense of connection in my work for the Interdenominational Ministry for the Deaf. The deaf people involved come from a wide variety of churches, ranging from Free Evangelical to Restored Reformed, but they feel connected to one another through the one God.
That sense of connection was also present when I recently led a service at a TBS clinic. The participants came from very diverse backgrounds. But their (often spontaneous) reactions during and after the service showed just how much they long for God. And that created a strong sense of connection, including amongst themselves.
Multicoloured
I regularly lead services in places such as care homes in (and around) Nunspeet, and in services for people with intellectual abilities that differ from the norm. The diverse religious backgrounds of those attending these services are no barrier to listening to God’s voice together, and to praying and giving thanks together.
Desire
The deepest motivation for my work is the desire for God’s Word to touch people and bring them closer to Him and to one another. In all the so-called ‘imperfect churches’ mentioned, we focus primarily on the core, on the main thing: faith in Jesus Christ as the only Saviour and King. Sadly, that core is often buried beneath internal squabbles. And sometimes (far) too many things happen in churches that tear people apart rather than bring them together. That is why I love a ‘flawed church’, because it helps me to keep my eyes fixed on the One about whom it is really all about: Christ Jesus, God’s Son, our only Saviour and Lord. When you look at it that way, don’t you feel the urge to wish everyone a flaw?
Martin Visser works as a sign language minister for the Interdenominational Deaf Chaplaincy and is secretary of the Bijbel NGT Foundation.
