I still remember the Greek Orthodox nurse doing my inpatient intake forms immediately after my accident, and she was convinced I was Catholic. I kept trying to tell her I was a protestant, but she, raised Greek Orthodox, could not comprehend the difference. It’s funny to me, but at the time I felt it was important to distinguish my stream of Christian faith. In reality, I believe in the same Jesus as the Catholics and the Greek Orthodox. The word ‘catholic’ just means ‘general.’ I grew up in a Bible church then attended a diverse Anglican assembly for a decade before joining the staff of a historically associated NZ Open Brethren church. Those words mean some things, but most of all they show, I hope, how much I love Jesus.
Today four young boys got baptised in our church, and I was overjoyed at the parents from other congregations who were excited at the opportunity to come to our Sunday gathering to celebrate the faith decision of their sons. One of the mothers shared with the church what she’d told me when I called her weeks ago to ask if their family was comfortable with their son’s request to be baptised at our church. She said, “It doesn’t matter where he gets baptised; it matters that he gets baptised.” She knew we were siblings in the body of Christ, the wider catholic (small ‘c’) Church (big ‘C’).
After the service, a woman visiting her sister who had come along with her to church came up to me and gave me a special verse that came to mind when each boy shared their testimony before the church. As I read through them, each one resonated with not only what they individually shared but what I know of these boys personally. I love the body of Christ. Cool things happen when we share encouragements with each other.
One last detail of the service was a young adult coming up to me as I was on my way to leave and asking to meet up and talk about her getting baptised soon. I already have one other youth lined up and a second asking for more information. It’s not about the numbers, though they get exciting as they keep growing, but it’s because these numbers are real life humans who are choosing Jesus.
