Yesterday morning we went to church in Málaga. Since we
moved to the area we have been worshipping with an inclusive Christian
community in the city centre. Originally established with the help of Dutch missionaries
in the 1880s, this Protestant community has been through many ups and downs. Having
struggled over the past decades, in the last year or so the community has entered
a new season. A new young trainee pastor, Rubén, has encouraged new growth
(numeric and spiritual), as new folk have joined the small Christian community
and spiritual formation and discipleship initiatives have taken off.
Rubén will be ordained next month, but in the meantime, he
has been leading us gently into embracing more and more Jesus’ vision of the
Kingdom of God, which is bigger than the church, but which includes the local churches
as sacramental expressions of community. Last week Rubén sent a very moving and
encouraging message to everyone in the church whatsapp group that ended with
the words, “SOMOS COMUNIDAD” (we are community). What a beautiful reminder that
we are all connected, that our paths have crossed, and that we are invited to
journey together as we follow in the footsteps of the Rabbi of Nazareth.
Los Olivos has always been about celebrating community, and
being pilgrim communities, for a short time, during our retreats together. It
is wonderful to see that despite the changes we have introduced this year,
hosting our retreats in new venues and having larger groups, the sense of
community has been preserved and enhanced. At this time of fragmentation in the
world around us, when loneliness and isolation affects so many in our towns and
cities, sharing with others on the sacred ground of community is not just a nicety
but a deeply healing and humanising gift!
Members of the church council
El Redentor Protestant Church Community (Málaga)
