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From the desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: 2021 Advocate Issue I

July 6, 2021 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb

Editor’s Note: Issue I of the 2021 Advocate focused on the theme “Celebrating who we are” as a Conference. It highlighted the beautiful tapestry of churches and members we have in the Upper New York Conference. Below is Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb’s introduction to the issue. Click here to read the entire issue.

Jodi and I frequently walk a section of our neighborhood where there are several new homes being constructed. As each home being built progresses, you begin to see various styles, designs, and tastes, yet each home begins in the same way – the foundation is laid. Foundations are not the most exciting part of a home and for the most part they all look the same. With every new foundation I see, my question is always, “I wonder what this house is going to look like?” Upon the foundation the unique nature of the home emerges.

In his letter to the church of Ephesus, the Apostle Paul wrote this: “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the to the measure of Christ’s gift . . . and God gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God . . . from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love”  (Ephesians 4).

As the body of Christ, we stand on one foundation. One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. We stand on one foundation as we acknowledge the divine identity of Jesus and live out our common purpose of knowing Jesus Christ and making him known. From this common foundation the various gifts and diversity of the church are unleashed to strengthen the body of Christ and proclaim the good news of the Gospel to the world.

Someone once wrote:  “The Christian faith is predicated upon the belief that Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation accomplished two otherwise impossible objectives: first restoring the relationship between humankind and the Creator, and secondly restoring the harmonious relationship God intended for people in community”.  When we fully experience the grace given to each one, from our common foundation we become the body of Christ that allows God to build a church that acknowledges, celebrates, and utilizes diversity of culture, race, gender, age, and context. We experience that ministry of reconciliation and we offer it to the world. We eradicate all that divides; the “isms” that tear us apart and we partner with God in building the kingdom of God.

As we stand on one foundation, we discover the ways in which the Spirit of God is calling us to reach out to the distinctive community around us with the hope of Jesus Christ. Our foundation, our calling, our purpose is the same, while our gifts and experiences are unique. It is that uniqueness that is used by God to make the Church strong, to fit and hold together what every joint supplies SO THAT the body will grow and build itself up in love. So, the Gospel will be proclaimed, and the mission fruitfully and faithfully lived out.

In Upper New York we have much to celebrate as we stand and build upon our common foundation. The pages of this edition of the Advocate represent the fullness and rich diversity of the body of Christ. These are stories of how in our diversity we are building upon one foundation, offering a representation of Jesus Christ that reaches into every corner and every life within our communities.

As you read these pages, I hope you will celebrate the rich tapestry that is the Church. I hope you will celebrate the faithful response of brothers and sisters in Christ in all places, stages and experiences saying yes to God’s call to be the Church. But most of all, I hope you will be encouraged and challenged by the truth that God is calling and equipping you to be a part of offering Jesus Christ to the world.

With Christ as our head, we who are many and diverse become one body fulfilling God’s purpose in all things. Let’s stand firm on our one foundation, inviting everyone to stand with us, as we continue to watch God build a rich and diverse church that the Holy Spirit will empower to offer the gift of Jesus Christ to a rich and diverse world.