Do You Believe In God?

Do you believe in God? 

Is being a part of a faith community important and helpful?

These are two questions I have been tossing around in my head.   I wonder if people here in this beautiful beach community wrestle with the difficult issues of life and seek to understand how God is involved in all this?  I think they must.  And I also wonder if they have a safe place to share those intimate struggles and difficulties and receive care and support on their life journey?

Just out of curiosity, I was looking at some statistics online about Imperial Beach.  Of the nearly 27,000 people who currently live in Imperial Beach, fewer than 44% view themselves as being “religious.”   And of that percentage, the majority of these religious folk are Roman Catholic (26%) and “other Christian” (6.3%).    So I get it that less than half of the people in this wonderful community consider themselves to be “religious.”

I also know that many people in today’s society have backed away from “organized religion.”  There have been some who have been turned off by the rules and doctrines of the “church.”    It is known that young people are turned off by the judgmental attitude of many religions especially fundamental Christianity.  I have friends who believe the church’s walls will cave in on them if they ever walked into a church building.

What young people and in fact many people today are looking for is not a legalistic rule book to tell them what and how to believe, but rather many are searching for a personal relationship with God or a Higher Power.  They are looking for an intimate relationship with God and they are very open to how that relationship would shape them and guide them through life’s ups and downs.

You know, I am always amused and yet slightly saddened by the bumper sticker that reads:  “Jesus, Save Me From Your Followers.”

But that particular bumper sticker speaks volumes about how people view Jesus and the Church.  People respect, honor and even worship Jesus, but they have serious questions about those who call themselves “Christians.”  The problem is, I believe, that many who call themselves Christians seem to not live up to the name.  So as a result, many people today will simply say they are “spiritual” but not “religious.”

In my heart, I am convinced there are people in this fine city who are searching and struggling under the enormous pressure of life and who are seeking God’s healing presence.  I believe people are yearning for a relationship with Jesus to better understand his message of radical unconditional love and grace.  There are people who want to understand what it would mean to live out that message of Jesus that called for those who followed him to love everyone, including the least of their brothers and sisters and even their enemies.   And maybe, these same people even down deep wish there was a safe, open, inclusive and holy place where they could bring their questions, their doubts, their feelings and emotions about God and their lives; a place where they could seek their own understanding of God’s presence in their lives.

As a pastor, I can tell you upfront that to life’s questions, I do not have the “answers”.  For myself, I know and I live constantly with the questions.  I also know that God is with me through those difficult questions and helps me find the answers I need along the way.

So, I want to seriously invite you to consider walking with Jesus.  I invite you to share your concerns, your pain, and your frustrations; share yourself with Jesus.

I also invite you to consider being a part of a safe, welcoming, inclusive faith community who will care and support you on that journey. 

It all can begin with a simple conversation.  I would love, be more than thrilled to hear your life story.  We can walk this path together.

I can be reached by email at JonEdwin@aol.com . 

You may actually see me around town.  I hang out down at the West Coast Café. I am just a guy usually wearing blue jeans, t-shirt and my old Vans tennis shoes who would love to talk with you about your journey.  So, drop me a note.

And think about it.

Do you believe in God? 

And would being a part of a faith community be important and helpful to you?

--Pastor John

Imperial Beach United Methodist Church

455 Palm Avenue, IB

Sunday Worship:

9AM: 30 minute service with Holy Communion celebrated weekly

10:30AM: Holy Communion celebrated 1st Sunday of the month.

Sunday School:

For Elementary Children at 9:30AM

Our Hearts, Our Minds, Our Doors are always open.