The freely gathered religious congregation is one of the greatest creations of the Protestant Reformation. It is an honor to serve as the parish minister of such a community. Persons of all ages come together in the congregation in order to grow in spirit and raise up the values that define their lives. Preaching in the context of worship is the central but not only way in which the free church nurtures souls. The local congregation provides a place where people may be known for themselves in an increasingly transient and fragmented society
In the twenty-first century, the free churches face social and economic dislocation. The church's role is to help people find meaning, lift up values, and build solidarity in new ways that build on its prophetic tradition. This is an exciting time in which to minister.
