IS THE Church distinct enough? There's a lot of talk about trying to be relevant, trying to fit in and accommodate the communities that we find ourselves in. But in trying to fit in, are we losing our USP?

At Mount Sinai, Moses made this request of God,"How shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

What was so special about Mary? Well the angel Gabriel put it is way, “Greetings, O favoured one, the Lord is with you!”

But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God."

God was with her, that was how we know she'd found favour with God. What about the Church today - is God still with us?

When Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth, he put it this way, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

So if God is with the Church, there should be a liberating atmosphere in the Church. People should be able to see God in our faces, our conversations and our actions.

Are you distinct enough? Is God with you?

David Hendrickse

Sedbergh Christian Centre