Rocks and Perfume

Although moderator Ed Boschman was mistaken for the copier repair person when he first entered First Mennonite Brethren Church in Wichita, that illusion was dispelled when he began his moderator's address on Thursday evening. He introduced his message "The Fragrances of a Rock" by evoking memories of distinctive fragrances: a pulp mill, bread baking and a sulphur hot springs. Based on Matthew 16:13-19, he identified four fragrances the church should have:

Fragrance of a Declaration. Jesus chose the retreat centre at Caesarea Philippi to nail down some fundamentals of the faith with His disciples just prior to His crucifixion. Simon Peter's declaration, "You are the Christ," became a fragrance named "Revelation Rock".

Fragrance of a Cornerstone. Peter was told, "You are Peter. On this rock I will build My church." Christ, however, is the cornerstone; without Christ, the church shifts, shakes, then crumbles. The church needs to be both a safe haven and a mission outpost to provide the fragrance "Solid Rock".

Fragrance of a Promise. Humans make promises which they cannot always keep. Christians have the promise that the gates of hell will not stop the church from being built, and this promise is being kept. This fragrance is named "Rock Solid".

Fragrance of a Plan. Peter, and all Christians, were given the keys to God’s Kingdom. People are freed because of the keys of grace and love which the church offers. However, in order to bind and loose, Christians need to have relationships with people outside the family of God. This fragrance is named "Our Turn to Rock".

Small flat rocks handed out before the service served as visual reminders that Christians need to be the fragrance of Christ in their daily lives. SBB

Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 38, No. 15 Home Page