One of the great John Stott’s books bears the title Christ the Controversialist. Stott’s point is that Jesus readily engaged in controversial conversations with all those he met. He challenged the Pharisees’ traditionalism and the Saducees’ liberalism. He talked with the wealthy about their money and with prostitutes about their sin.

In our time, Christ himself has become the object of controversy. In an article related to today’s opening of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the Post-Gazette chose this headline: Despite controversy, Narnia books retain popularity. Read all about it. And what is the controversy? That these beloved children’s books point to the Christian story and biblical values. It seems as if more has been written about the dangers of the gospel for unsuspecting children than the threat posed by all the thousands of books, video games, movies, and marketing schemes that shower our kids with the occult, pre-teen sexuality, gratuitous violence, gluttonous materialism and anti-authoritarianism.

We in the church have work to do. We have a story to tell and a joyful life to share. Too many of us shy away from the controversy that Christ will inevitably bring into our lives — talking to rich people about their money and prostitutes about their sin. Others of us waste our time tilting at cultural windmills, as if the our controversial Christ needs the Presidential Seal to confirm his power, love, and grace. Read all about it. I’ll have more on this story in the Extra! Extra! Section.

By the way, I will be posting my thoughts on the Narnia movie at later in the new Narnia Section.

Please remmber that Missy and our youth leaders will be taking 33 of our high school and junior high school students on their annual Castle retreat (an intriguing retreat center near Franklin) this weekend. The kids are going to have a great time — they always do. They will be joined this year by the youth from Chippewa UP. Pray for safety in travel and that God will use this time away to challenge our kids to live lives under the Lordship of the controversial Christ!

The Belo-Beaver Partnership has been a tremendous and unqualified blessing in the life of our church and in the lives of so many of her members. Talk to one of the 50 or so Park People who have been to Brazil and you will sense an excitement that I believe comes only from the reality of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. The Belo-Beaver Partnership has also been a gigantic blessing in the life of our sister church and in the lives, of literally hundreds who have been touched by it — kids in college, adults and children learning to read, hungry people fed; the gospel shared in word and in deed!

The partnership is a 52-week a year endeavor, but for both churches nothing has been more important than the Summer Mission Trips taken by Park People to Belo Horizonte. Might you be one of those called to be blessed and to be a blessing this summer? The Brazil Mission Information Meeting will be held Sunday right after worship in the Worship/Learning Center! Please join us!

Worship this Sunday asks the question, “What Child is this?” What’s your answer? See you in church!