Difference in Worship, Sameness of God
Modified Blog excerpt from 2019 and inspired by First Lady Sarah Oedy
Just a little more than two years ago, pre-Covid era, we visited Southminster Presbyterian Church located in Gastonia, NC.. Pastor Dan Oedy and First Lady, Sarah Oedy lead this awesome ministry. The visit was in part a surprise from players and parents in support of Pastor Oedy who unselfishly gave his time to lead the Athletics Department and coach the Boys Varsity Basketball team at Cramerton Christian Academy located in Cramerton, NC.
Service was awesome and the message was timely. Because of what we are accustomed to in the Baptist church, we couldn’t help but notice subtle differences between the way we approach worship and receive the Word versus how the Southminster congregants did the same.
Despite our differences, the constant is God’s Spirit and how He moved in church that day. The constant was the feeling of being welcomed and included. The context and content of the Word was still the same. What we all had in common that day was a shared love for Christ and acknowledgement of His Sovereignty.
In marriage and in life, we are met with differences in our beliefs, experiences and value systems but we vowed to come together and join as one flesh Ephesians 5:31. Just the same, we are called to become one in the body of Christ.
We encourage you to honor and respect the differences of your spouse/partner and others while celebrating your shared love of Christ and sharing in the responsibility of living out a Christian life.