Dear Good News Magazine Subscriber,
There's an old saying that "perception is reality." But is this statement true? Not very often! Reality is always factual, but perceptions can vary widely. Different people may view the facts in different ways, but that doesn't change the truth of the matter. For example, individuals or groups may perceive God differently, but that does not change God. God is God and that will always be reality. What the saying "perception is reality" means is that people will react to their own perceptions as if they are the real truth. It's the way we see things!
Name a particular group, organization or business, and you'll find people's opinions often differ wildly regarding its purpose, position and function. They have perceived its nature based on their own experience and viewpoint.
As a reader of The Good News, how do you view its role, purpose and message? Considering our positions on various issues, some may assume that the publisher, the United Church of God, leans politically "right wing" or "conservative." Take for instance, the subject of abortion. We teach that abortion is wrong. Why? Because the Bible shows that God values human life even in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5; Job 31:15). However, since this question is often viewed politically, some may assume the Church favors a conservative political agenda.
When a reader perceives us as political, though, it reminds us to work harder to clarify the reality of the message we are trying to give. For in fact, as an organization the United Church of God has no political agenda and neither supports nor endorses any political party. God's truth and His message transcend the world's politics. Christ is coming to rule over man but not at man's invitation. Our writers strive to assess the human condition, political and social movements and world events in the light of the Scriptures. The perspectives we want to disseminate are those of the Bible, not the ideas or concepts of men.
The Good News magazine's purpose
The message to our readers—regardless of their political, cultural or religious point of view—is that we all at times can "miss the mark" of true godliness. Every individual can stray from his or her God-ordained purpose, resulting in heartache, suffering and distress. We proclaim the grace of God in showing mercy through Jesus Christ to those who will yield to His rule in their lives.
One of the purposes of The Good News, as described in Isaiah 58:1, is to "cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." From the vantage point of the Bible, we strive to explain to all who will listen that without the true knowledge of God, we are all spiritually poor, blind and naked (Revelation 3:17).
Our obligation and privilege is to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ—the gospel, the good news of the Kingdom of God—and to offer hope and solutions that faithfully and accurately reflect the teachings of Holy Scripture. Our work is to bring clarity and vision—to cut through the confusion of conflicting views in society and religion.
 What it's really all about
So what does it all boil down to? The opening paragraph of our booklet This Is the United Church of God sums up what we are all about:
"The mission of the United Church of God is to proclaim to the world the little-understood gospel taught by Jesus Christ—the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—and to prepare a people for that Kingdom. This message not only offers great hope for all of humanity, but encompasses the purpose of human existence—why we are here and where our world is headed."
If you would like to know more about our mission and message, you are welcome to read, download or request a printed copy of this full-color booklet by clicking on this link: This Is the United Church of God.
The reality is, we appreciate hearing your perceptions, and if there is any way we can assist you in better understanding the biblical realities, please let us know.
Warm regards,
Larry Salyer
Media and Communications Services manager
|
Connecting to Facebook
