“There’s Gotta Be a Better WAY!”
by Reverend Tom Coronite
January 26th, 2025 10AM
Summary:
Rev. Tom ‘TC’ Coronite begins with reading scripture about the Ten Commandments, connecting them to the concept of covenant and God’s involvement in human law. He explains the importance of following rules, using the example of traffic lights and four-way stops, pointing out that just as drivers need to know the rules of the road to avoid “Mayhem,” so too do churches. TC goes on to a discussion of church governance, explaining that the Christian Congregational church model involves three forms of governance: monarchy, with Christ as the head of the church; democracy, with members voting; and republic, with elected officers and boards. TC emphasized the importance of balance between these tenets, while warning against relying too heavily on human structures. The sermon concludes by stressing the importance of following the Holy Spirit’s guidance and using scripture to inform decision making. Using a personal story about his freedom to finally have a pet but not considering the consequences, TC emphasizes that a Church should not have the freedom to do whatever it wants, but rather the freedom to follow where the spirit leads. The church is meant to be governed together, with members serving in different roles according to their gifts, with an emphasis on shared responsibility.
-JTH