Do you remember the old American Express slogan "Membership has its Privileges"? Basically the idea was that having an American Express card in your wallet was somehow a status symbol unto itself, but in particular there were special services provided to those who carried an AmEx card. Even though AmEx has moved on from this slogan and marketing approach, they clearly were a draw in their day.

  I remember during my previous career when I was traveling all over the US and Europe that I racked up enough frequent flyer miles to earn a number of perks, things like being able to move ahead of other people in the security line, taking advantage of the frequent flyer lounge at the airport, and an occasional upgrade to First Class. Being a member of that club became about status and convenience. I have to admit that it was nice while it lasted. Clearly carrying that nice silver frequent flyer card had its privileges.

  This idea of membership appeals to the human desire to be comfortable and possibly even set apart from, or even set above, others, not to mention the seemingly endless human desire to think we are getting as much as we can for as little as we can. And ultimately there is little demanded of us in terms of relationship or commitment. After all, it's all about what we can get...

  Membership in the family of Christ, and in particular in a community of faith such as Lord of Life, is a little different. First of all there is far more to it than simply carrying a card. As a matter of fact there is no card you can flash to show you're a member. What identifies us and sets us apart as members of this club is how we mirror the one whom we follow; how we reflect the love of Jesus in word and deed. Second, the ultimate privilege we receive as members is the one that Jesus came to bring all those who believe - forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. It's a privilege that we receive a glimpse of it in the here and now, but that can only truly be realized someday in the future. It's something that has the power to transform our lives but that will never make our lives perfect here on earth.

  This idea of membership is often anything but comfortable and it can demand a great deal of us in terms of relationship and commitment. It calls us to a daily commitment of heart and soul to the continuing of God's work in the world and to caring for and nurturing each other and serving others. It's about what we've already received in Jesus that inspires us to give without thought to what we might get in return even though, in the end, we receive far more than we give. It's about the privilege of being those who serve on behalf of the one who gave all for us. It's about standing together in the good times, and even the not so good times, proclaiming the perfect love of Jesus Christ.

  Lord of Life has over 900 members. And we are being challenged, maybe as never before in our history, to a renewed sense of what it means to be members of this community of faith. I pray that each and every one of us will spend some time as we continue into this new year to re-examine our sense of relationship and commitment to the mission and ministry that we share; to what it means to be a member of Lord of Life. I look forward to sharing this journey with all of you.

Peace - Pastor Sue = )