Bring Hope

Bring Hope is the rally cry that we have adopted as a Conference and launched at Easter Camp. We believe that this rally cry represents us at our best and gives us a focus that we aspire to be as the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Western Australia. We adopted Bring Hope after much prayer, discussion and consultation across our Conference. As we promoted Bring Hope at camp people were positive and enthusiastic about this as our rally cry. As you know, we have a mission statement and vision statement, and these are important.

However, we wanted a memorable saying that inspires us and, at the same time, is clearly biblical and relates to us as a Church community.

As the leaders of the Conference, we believe that Bring Hope is a phrase that can be remembered by all age groups. Our key text for Bring Hope is found in Romans 15:13 – “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Paul, in his letter to the Christians in Rome, was dealing with the really important issue of what is essential in faith. He gives foundational teaching on faith in Jesus Christ over concerns that can be at best distractions and that were causing debates and squabbles in the early church. Paul gives clear teaching on bringing people back to a focus on God’s grace. Paul concludes his letter by praying for his readers to come back to the gospel which is based on the God of hope. God is the only source of hope throughout human history. Paul powerfully presents the God of hope who loves us as sinners and even enemies of God. God’s grace gives us hope and helps us not to just tolerate each other, but to embrace each other.

The people of our world – our people need hope. Our times are marked by anxiety and despair, which is totally understandable. If we are going to be people that Bring Hope, we need to experience hope ourselves. Hope in God is described as “a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:19.

A faith anchor is essential if we are to Bring Hope to others. With hope comes the package of joy and peace. Joy and peace are two of Paul’s favourite words. Words like hope, joy and peace are not theoretical words for Paul, but demonstrated the experience he had because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Paul lived as a person of hope in good times and bad times and serves as a great example of what it means to live and bring hope.

One of the hymns that we love to sing from our Hymn Book is number 214 which has a focus on hope. “We have this hope that burns within our heart, Hope in the coming of the Lord.” A confident hope in Jesus Christ impacts our lives and motivates us to impact our world for Jesus. Bring Hope is something to think about as individuals and families and ask the question, What can I do to Bring Hope to others? It is something to pray about and look for God to lead you in practical ways. Acts of kindness, combined with words of hope, can make a huge impact in lives of others.

I would ask that in your church meetings, such as elders’, church boards, Sabbath School classes and small groups, you begin to pray and talk about what you can do as a collective to Bring Hope in your community. Let the Holy Spirit lead you as you pray and listen and talk together. Don’t become defensive or critical, but assess how you are doing in your community. What is the Seventh-day Adventist Church known for in your community? What is our reputation? How can we make a difference? Think of practical ways to Bring Hope. As a young pastor, I was challenged with the thought that there is more religion in a loaf of bread than a sermon! That challenge came to me about 34 years ago and I have never forgotten it.

This does not mean that we put away good biblical teaching. Preaching and small group discussions on sound biblical teaching that brings hope to others is the very life of the church. A church that keeps Jesus at the centre of its teaching and keeps a biblical focus is a church that can Bring Hope. This should not be about old guys like me but should include children and youth. Do we include all people in bringing hope to others as a church? I will be really interested to receive feedback and hear what you are doing to Bring Hope to your community.