The IEMELIF'’s top leadership through its Bishop and General Superintendent Nathanael P. Lazaro, has been a strong advocate of peace and reconciliation, as seen in the recent successes to end the decades-long differences from Reform Movement and Sole sympathizers. This historical event has once again brought back the Church's credibility to become a herald of Christ’'s redemptive love to mankind. While most, if not all, seem to have failed to live up on this, the IEMELIF through the grace of God had succeeded.
Another milestone in the life of the Church was the amendment she made in the Discipline. Like “bayanihan spirit”, more people have now been involved in carrying out the task of the Lord. This has given the Church a breath of fresh air. Armed with dedicated, talented, and gifted individuals, the work of Evangelism continues to gain momentum as more mission points and daughter churches are being established. The IEMELIF believes that real transformation happens within the inner man and manifests outwardly by loving God's creation. As the number grows, this community of transformed individuals work for social change through community development. Effective ministries must have an impact to society.
The IEMELIF's bishop calls for visible change. "Social Gospel," as defined, had been part of the Church's theological understanding in the past, but there had been very little impact she made to actualize this "natural" approach due to long and sensitive internal "challenges." As if God's hand remakes and repackages His Church, the IEMELIF had to undergo a process called "metamorphosis." At last, coming out of her cocoon, this “"inner wilderness test”" has given her BETTER perspectives to reflect her spiritual dogmas. Bishop Lazaro believes further that to effectively do this "share" in nation building, local churches should initiate ecclesiastical partnership with government organizations (GOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), private organizations (PO), and other civil society groups regionally and globally; such as the United Nations (UN). As good and wise stewards, the Church must faithfully proclaim the Good News but at the same time address God's creation with sustainable ministries.
Time and again, the General Superintendent calls his constituents to be more spiritually “sensitive by creating committees for "aid and relief" especially when natural disaster strikes a community where extreme poverty incidents are high. The world is God’'s creation and it bears His glory and dignity. Change should not just happen within one’s denominational affiliation by which the IEMELIF was mistakenly being branded either a separatist or passive agent of change. The Lordship of Christ must be realized to all creation and it's by joining hands with those who call to address these social maladies such as corruption, poverty, hunger, unemployment, war, and injustice; that we can truly be called the sons of God.
The believers are joining hands with their leaders because they know that God is pleased when they do. As one body, they pray and support them always. This is in response to Galatians 6:6 that says, “Let him who receives instruction in the Word of God share all good things with his teacher by contributing to his support” On the same thing, the writer of Hebrew in chapter 13 verse 17 said, “Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them continually by recognizing their authority over you, for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will to render an account of their trust. Do your part to let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for it would not be profitable to you either.” – Quick Bible Amplified
“Prepare ye the way” is John the Baptist’s challenge and Jesus’ “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is heaven” is a timeless prayer of hope. Both are familiar clauses of self-retrospection, hope, accountability, and challenge. Understanding this call as obedient and humble children, the IEMELIF Church, through her leaders, pursues that which has been entrusted of her to do knowing that God judges and rewards men according to their "share" in His kingdom.
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