To the Editor:
    
     If it weren't for the Methodist Church, America wouldn't be as great a nation as it is.
     Does that statement sound brash?  Perhaps it does.  But as we continue to celebrate our 150th anniversary of the founding of the Lincoln Chapel congregation, we need to reclaim - and rekindle - our bold history.
     In the late 19th century, the Methodist Church moved with the pioneers in the westward expansion.  While the Lutheran Church tended mostly to northern European communities and the Episcopal Church generally waited until the trains came through to "civilize" the frontier, Methodists were evangelizing America.  Revivals.  Congregations formed.  Church buildings erected.  Communities developing because of the stability that congregation and building brought to the town.
     Community spirit.  Biblical values.  Spiritual integrity.  Evangelistic outreach.  Social witness.  These things, when grouped together, were what made the Methodist Church unique back then.  And, for the most part, that's what we're about today.
     By being there as a bastion to those communities long ago, and by providing a witness to the community, the backbone of America was strengthened.  During a time when scriptural integrity and church authority began to come into question, Methodists stood firm to John Wesley's directive.  He taught that the Bible was the primary authority for life and for faith, and that enlightenment could be brought to contemporary issues through the complementary use of scripture, tradition, experience, and reason.
     These ideals filtered into American society.  We gave our country the spiritual shot-in-the-arm that it needed over a century ago.  And I believe our country needs another dose.  And soon.
     We see that the need now isn't to go to new places geographically to spread the gospel to much as a need to go to new places idealogically.  As technology shrinks our world, our evangelical thrust must change.  We are no longer missionaries to "new lands".  Instead, we become missionaries to new life situations, new cultural experiences.
     We have behind us a history - and an experience - which shows a dedication and a tenacity to meet the spiritual needs not only of our congregations, but of our country.
     May we, as Lincoln Chapel, continue to bear the light of Christ for our community.  And may we - working together with the millions of other Methodists in this country - shine the light of Jesus Christ into our country.
     In His Service,

Pastor Jon West