Sticking with the theme of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s 221st General Assembly, former PCUSA Stated Clerk the Rev. Cliff Kirkpatrick delivered a message of abounding in hope Sunday to commissioners attending a worship service at Grosse Pointe Woods Presbyterian Church (GPWPC).
Citing Scripture from Matthew 28:16-20, Kirkpatrick spoke of Jesus’ command in the “Great Commission” to go out and make disciples before transitioning to the plight of the Roman church. He referenced Romans 15: 7-13, focusing on verse 13 where Paul writes, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Kirkpatrick mentioned that there are times when people may wonder if the General Assembly is not a “jubilee in hell” because of all the wrangling and arguing related to the business of the PCUSA. But, he observed that there are many whose lives are changed by the experiences they have to see the breadth and depth of Jesus’ work.
“I’m one of those people,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to see God at work in places I’ve never imagined. That’s the Gospel’s message we hope comes out of our time together in Detroit and spreads across the country.”
Standing before a congregation and commissioners to the GA at a church found in an upscale suburb of Detroit, Kirkpatrick acknowledged that it may be strange to speak of hope abounding in a city beseeched by crime, poverty and financial woes. He likened it to some of the malaise plaguing the PCUSA.
“As we all know the church is declining in numbers and most painful of all, the church is often divided, something you know well having lived that right here,” he said.
Grosse Pointe Woods experienced a split in October 2012 when a group left with former Pastor Jim Rizer to form Living Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church, now an Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) congregation.
GPWPC Pastor Bob Agnew referenced that split, noting that those who remained part of the congregation remain hopeful for growth in study and mission, dedicated to service in the PCUSA.
“We may be small in numbers, but we are very committed to the life of the church,” Agnew said. “May we have reasons to celebrate, to abound in hope and to give praise to God.”
Calling on his sermon text, Kirkpatrick explained that hope in the Roman church was in short supply, much like it is today. It was a diverse community comprised of free people and slaves, rich and poor, strong and weak, Jews and Gentiles. Because of that there was difficulty in accepting one another.
But the message given by Paul was that “in Christ there is hope in abundance … particularly in the most difficult situations. They were called to make disciples of all nations and share the good news of Jesus Christ.”
The former stated clerk observed that it is not about what Presbyterians do but what He will do for those who remain hopeful.
“The Bible tells us if we abound in hope, He gives us all we need to be faithful,” Kirkpatrick said. “We have been created in the image of God, to live and hope even in difficult situations. We have in Jesus Christ an incredible leader who inspires us. So we need to go out and reach people all around the world.”
Kirkpatrick emphasized once more that he is inspired by stories of hope he hears at General Assembly gatherings because he sees what God is doing around the world.
“We’re called, even in a situation like the church in Rome – divided, fearful, threatened – to have joy in believing to abound in hope, that God is indeed at work in that way,” he said. “God is the source of our Hope. Jesus Christ is the source of our hope. Because of that we are called to make disciples, to teach, to baptize in Jesus’ name. As we do that we will find joy and peace.
“My charge to you is from the message of the Apostle Paul: Allow the God of hope to fill you.”