New Church Foundation

Individuals do well to find what their special talents and loves are like, and how they can best use them for the good of others. So too congregations can look at their particular talents and gifts to see how they can serve the surrounding community.

Readings

Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. (Matthew 12:33)

Since all the activities of heaven focus on a common use, which is the welfare of the Lord’s kingdom (which now is our country), and since we fulfill our distinctive individual functions to the extent that they focus directly and intimately on that common use, all the countless distinctive and individual functions are good and heavenly. This means that for each of us an affection for what is true is united to an affection for usefulness to the point that they act as one. (Heaven and Hell 517)

Article: Sharing Your Faith
Part Three

A woman in her late thirties, married to a wonderful man and the mother of three young children, searches for a group of people with whom she can grow spiritually. She’s had struggles in her life, coming out of a dysfunctional family and striving to live with purpose and clarity. She was raised in the Catholic Church and hasn’t had much contact with a church in years.

As her children start asking questions about God she and her husband feel strongly that they want to find a church to attend with their children, and where they can feel comfortable. They begin by looking in the newspaper and trying out different churches each Sunday. The first few they go to are not appealing, but on their fourth Sunday, they arrive at the New Church. Something about the group appeals to them. They find the sermon interesting and applicable. They enjoy the people they meet and the way they are welcomed in. Soon they begin learning about the teachings of the church and what they find makes sense and touches them. "This is what I’ve always believed!" the woman says excitedly. "I’ve known since I was a small child that there is a heaven and a hell, and that they are much more real and present then we think. I’ve felt that God is one and that God is complete love. Finally I have found a church that teaches this."

In each of these situations, the people were excited about the teachings of the New Church and found that these teachings helped change their lives. Many people connected to the New Church also have this excitement and want to share it, but don’t know how or feel inadequate. Yet, it is important to share the joy that you find in the New Church with others. The Lord tells us to let our light shine, not put it under a basket. Share something that makes a difference in your life with other people. Have the conversation. Invite them to church. If it works for you, it may work for someone else.

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