Love and Lent
/Former preacher, Virgil Anderson, said he was farming atop a little hill with his dad in the 1930’s. On one side of the hill he was singing, Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown? When he heard his dad singing on the other side, No, No, No Not One.
Lent doesn’t always feel positive. Why? Well, sin. Embracing regret, sacrifice, humility, discipline, and repentance are about transformation, not affirmation. Lent calls to mind the 40 days of fasting and temptations of the wilderness for Jesus. Or, Moses and Elijah fasting for 40 days, or maybe the 40 hours between Jesus’ sacrificial death and His resurrection. This is a season when Christians embrace their utter need to be attending to spiritual disciplines as a means to receiving grace and willingly being “in the potter’s hand.” But does love come to mind?
Love, in terms of sentiment or feelings of deep connection, is familiar to us. It is a wonderful thing but insufficient in itself. Lent love is based on sacrificial commitment; it fosters deep felt sentiment. In sacred Scriptures, love plunges the depth of committed relationships and is captured in ancient covenant ideas (see Sandra Richter, Epic of Eden). Think of blood packs in the movies. In our Lent case, a superior party, God, promises, in covenant fashion (Cross), His presence, provision, and protection to His rebellious former children through Jesus. The unthinkable, our Holy God condescending in covenant form to forgive sins and establish covenant relationships with us. One that reconciles us to our Father in one event, the cross and resurrection. Why? Love. My response is to accept or reject this covenant offering. In doing so my promise is to, by His power and leadership, willingly be conformed to His will and purposes. Astonishing! Even more than marrying my beautiful wife. A stronger party making all the sacrifices and concessions to the lesser. Love compels such things, and so love must be the response. So when you give up something this year, think of it as embracing the greater gift.
This year we will focus on celebrating spiritual disciplines during Lent via video lessons. I hope you join in and reciprocate love and sacrifice to foster your covenant love relationship.
Barry
GIVING THANKS IN TURBULENT TIMES
/Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Be thankful? Tough ask! Virtually everybody has an opinion about life during Covid-19. The disruptions to our lives, let alone the risk assessment everyone is subconsciously calculating, makes for animated conversations around the coffee pot. In my spot, the idea of “doing no harm” and leading responsibly with great people in our church has been in itself “quite the ride.” Thankfully, I could say, it has taught me a few things. I have learned to be more patient with others and myself. It has affirmed that fear has two sides. Fear keeps us appropriately cautious from jumping without looking first, but it also can paralyze us from living fully. We need balance. I laughed out loud the other night watching a rerun of the silly movie WHAT ABOUT BOB. Bob, a lovable multi-phobic personality, played by Bill Murray, cannot be alone in his daily fear, so inappropriately, he attaches himself to his narcissistic therapist. It is “big funny” because we all have a little bit of Bob or little bit of Dr. Leo Marvin in our world. We probably need to be a little more real about life, like Leo’s son, Siggy.
Being thankful in all circumstances isn’t just because I learn things. It is because of who I learn from and why? We belong to God our Father who made this world, and He desires we be His mature kids. We want to fully understand the significance of this truth. The scripture says that as disciples we learn from Christ, the master teacher/Messiah, who we are in this world and the right things to do. We, who are/are being saved from sin, are God’s redeemed sons and daughters who are learning characteristics like obedience, trust, patience, compassion, confidence, common sense, and wisdom. So, being thankful that God is supernaturally “with us” in Jesus is understandable and developed within us. His presence bolsters our confidence. He ultimately reigns over all things and is now our companion and teacher. We trust He will help us all make sense of things, as we live in His good purposes, both hearing and doing His will amidst a fallen world.
So yes, during this time of Thanksgiving, we are thankful for His provision and also thankful that we are born from above, in Christ, and these are times to trust and grow.
Barry
Am I Charismatic?
/You may be thinking, I’m not a “holy roller.” Well, let’s explore that notion for a moment. For many followers of Christ, Charismatic denotes normalizing the manifestation of Spirit gifts (listed in I Corinthians 12) in public worship, such as healing, tongues, or modern day miracles (this is not typically the practice of Methodists). The greek word Charisma is interpreted as “gracious gifts from God” (Barry’s way of saying it) and suggests those endued with the power of the Holy Spirit are manifestly gifted by God to edify or “make strong” the whole body of believers and to share the Gospel with the world.
However, if I ask instead, are those who “belong to Christ” filled and led by the Holy Spirit? This question is rather rhetorical and strikes more precisely to the heart of the nature of our salvation. The reality created in Jesus Christ by resurrection is a new existence for all believing, obedient children of God. This reality is characterized by the law of the Spirit or being indwelled by the Holy Spirit. It is a non-negotiable truth. It is the very means of regeneration and being set free from the law of sin and death. The Holy Spirit provides me life in Christ. This is the very implication of resurrection faith and is undeniable if I am “in Christ.”
My new reality creates a fresh behavior pattern for me. I am now led, not by obligation of written religious laws or pleasing my appetites for human expression, but by the instructive guidance of the Spirit who writes upon the tablet of my heart the will of God. I am now true Israel, an awakened person, led by the Spirit, with the power to live a Christ-pleasing life, and confidently tackle the challenges of a hostile world of temptations, troubles, and hardships. These instructions for living are obviously synonymous with Holy Scriptures’ testimony of righteousness, or we have a huge disconnect. So, if someone ever asks if you are a “holy roller,” just say: “why yes I am, by the mercy of God.”
Reflections on Romans 8-12
Barry
The Human Answer (Part Two of Three)
/What does Romans offer us? How shall we be free of the bondage of the mud? We try to fix ourselves or just seek to be “one” with the mud. But human potential, “works-based” ideals are doomed to self-righteousness, hypocrisy, manipulations, self-delusion, and failure. The best moral religions and philosophies deal in human strength or virtuous activities (arete, see Aristotle). They might shame us about right and wrong but do not lead us to the God who is the source of “right and good (dykai-osun-a or righteousness).” These moralisms and “super-therapies of wholeness” often involve denial or good behavior mixed with wrong reasons. They are just too bent and weak to work. Colin Williams, commenting on this “bent,” reminds us that it is not that we cannot do good things but that these good capacities are twisted from their true course and are wrongly purposed. Actions that are often judged good by objective social and moral standards are, in fact, religiously corrupt when they issue from a life separated from God. John Wesley actually saw these “good deeds” as evil that keep us from God (Sermons I, pg. 38), “they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done.” Sobering indeed! So take the example of Jacob, he claims God’s promised blessing by deceiving his father. It was God’s good gained not in God’s way. It was God’s will for him to be the chosen descendant and by definition was “good,” yet his means involved sinful deception. It destroyed his relationship with his brother. This story is repeated. Thus, we need rescuing. Enter the gospel. A new life in Christ which doesn’t proceed from right behavior, but results in righteous or “holy fruit.” A gift from God.
Barry
The True Problem (Part One of Three)
/“The world has gone nuts,” you say. “Yes and no,” I would reply, it has always been nuts. I want to discuss sin with you. I am not trying to be a “downer,” in fact, I want to be the champion of good news. The news is good because it answers the bad. Consider this, and the saints are all agreed, sin is our condition, not just our behavior. It is our home, not simply our actions. Our world is telling us that people are good, but institutions are evil. In contrast, the Bible teaches us that both are corrupt. This is why checks and balances of power are important in government. The condition of sin is fundamentally true of us all and provides a critical understanding of ourselves before God as we live in this world. We are depraved. The essence of that depravity is the lost moral image of God. We lost His image because our covenant relationship with Him is broken (see garden of Eden). We are disposed to rebellion against Him and His ways which leads to bondage. We, like the Hebrew children, end up in Egypt as slaves. Our taskmasters are described with words or phrases like: pride, indulgences (addictions), greed, wrath, envy, self-righteousness, unforgiveness, unrestrained sexual impulses, or just simple ole power, just to name a few. And honestly, we willingly embrace them. Or at best, we subconsciously obey them. They drive us and control us; even our good deeds are tainted by them. This creates a world for each of us that I would compare to living in deep mud; at times fun, but largely a picture of drudgery and mess. How shall we ever be free? The answer is not within us, it is with God in the person of Christ. It is called resurrection.
In my next blog, I will explain the insufficient human answer.
Barry
See Romans 1-7
We Are One in Him and Thus Family
/I left for a few days this past weekend only to hear of the unrest in many of our major cities across America. Race and injustice emerge as a flashpoint among us. We are reminded that race for those following Christ is an amalgamation; we are one in Him and thus family. Period! If you ask the Gospel to identify the problems that hinder us as human beings, those same things that manifest themselves in social ills. So, the Gospel reminds us that we are all created in the image of God, but we are rebellious and sinful. It is a fact that when I look into the face of my neighbor, all my neighbors, I am seeing someone who is made for God. Indeed I am beholding someone for whom Jesus came to rescue. The basis of how I treat my neighbor then should be found in how I am treated by God. I should graciously love others because He first loved me. I am quick to forgive because He forgave me. I take the ways of true kindness seriously because of God’s loving-kindness toward me. If God withholds His wrath from me, then I will not give my heart to wrath (or pride, greed, lusts, envy, or other vices for that matter). Kingdom virtue is to be sown into the world from me, filled with the Holy Spirit, like salt to enrich my world and so my world may flourish in the blessings of God. I am called to treat all like I would like to be treated or have been treated by God. This is being reconciled into the one family of God through Christ.
Barry
Return to Worship
/In my studies and devotional life, again and again, I return to the Psalms. These are wonderful real testimonies of the people of God at worship and prayer. They capture the depth of their longings as they learn to trust and live in a land with Yahweh. The last five Psalms are called “the great Hallel.” They all begin and end with “Praise Yah.” No matter what our circumstances, we find they are small compared to the greatness of God. I find this to be a great comfort, which leads me to the topic of FUMC returning to public worship.
Mike and I gave our best effort to provide our leaders with a "return to public worship" protocol. These protocols are a plan to lovingly and safely return to public gatherings of worship. Guided by our Bishop and medical professionals, we offered guidelines to our trustees for approval. Respectfully, the trustees voted to re-open Jacob’s Ladder on June 1 in order to serve a critical need in our community. In addition, they voted FUMC may return to public worship on June 14. We will follow these protocols for six weeks with possible extensions. Please note there are varying, valid opinions about our safe return, but we all agree how vital our worship life and communion are to our well being. Please grant us the courtesy of honoring these protocols for everyone’s sake.
The hallmarks of the protocols are these: 1. To practice social distancing upon arriving, being seated, and departing. 2. Wearing masks. 3. Temperature gatherings. 4. Gloves or hand sanitizing. 5. Limiting bathroom use. 6. Updated cleaning practices by our staff.
The June 14 date allows us several advantages. We will better know how the “spread of the virus” is tracking, gain insight in regard to other churches who have returned at earlier dates, and be provided the time to assess the broken AC unit at the Arbor. Lastly, it also allows our staff to acquire the needed supplies to support our return. Be aware this start date is contingent on the Bishop and Cabinet not extending the June 1 “not before date.”
I offer a special thanks to Neal Watts and our trustees, who have faithfully guided us through massive events. The protocols will be communicated to everyone shortly; please allow some time to read and learn them. We have a great team of leaders, and it has been a long nine weeks for everyone.
Barry
It's Mother's Day...
/
It is Mother’s Day week. We tend to at least acknowledge all the TLC that our mothers gave us. Granted, many people have unfortunate experiences or memories around the subject of motherhood. I have been personally touched by friends unable to have children. Others have had bad memories of a mom who wasn’t life-giving to them. If this is you, you are loved and thank you for your kind understanding as I write today. You have my deepest hopes for healing and wholeness.
It is true that generally, motherhood is a design from heaven. Why not celebrate this through our wives? A part of kingdom living is to bring new creation, beauty, hope, and wholeness to everyone in the sphere of our influence. So, join me in adding value to the quality of the life of the mom at your house. So husband/dad, for this week, cherish your wife/mom in a special way. Write her a love/thank you note beyond the usual, “roses are red, violets are…” Or, cook a meal without having to ask for instructions while providing a stay-at-home spa for her, alone, without you or the kids. Or, be more creative than me, just Google something neat. The point is that to “love and cherish” are vows of two different kinds. Focus on Cherish. Mom’s tend to get pulled on, rubbed out, and just run down from giving. Cherish that fact in them. Pour back into them through appreciating and noticing. Now, this should not be only once a year, but Mother’s Day is an opportunity to give it a try.
Gary Thomas writes and speaks on the subject of cherishing, and he has a great article published in Focus on the Family. The link is below. I truly hope you will read it. In the article, he refers to a gentleman he met who had been married twice due to the death of his first wife and became a case study on cherishing. Sadly, he noted that he had taken the blessing of his first wife for granted. He said that they both were wonderful, beautiful people, but he was different. He confessed that his deliberate cherishing of his second wife had led to his own joy and added true happiness into their marriage. Take Gary’s advice, “instead of trying to change your wife (mom at home), change your attitude.” This is a great gift.
Barry
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/what-cherishing-your-spouse-really-means/
The Cross and Corona Virus
/“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Matthew 16:21
Loved ones, I can say with great certainty that I have never merged the two words “Cross” and “Corona” until today. I will avoid the obvious thought that Corona is another word for “crown.” I have used cross and crown in a sentence.
Today, I want you to do what Christians have been asked to do for two Millennia, reflect on the meaning of that Roman cross. It hangs around our neck. It adorns our altars of worship. It sits on our mantles. Why? It is the single most recognizable sign of a covenant sacrifice between God and human beings. I affirm today that no “virus” could ever change that reality. The cross changes our very existence FOREVER.
So, during Holy Week, notice that protestants cherish an empty cross and not a crucifix. The reason is to emphasize the cross as a completed event. It leads to resurrection, but don’t pass over it too quickly.
The cross is the will of the heavenly Father for Jesus. Matthew declares Jesus was to become a sin offering for all people. A divine sacrificial covenant redeeming the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. A concept that takes us way back to a time in Abraham’s life when God puts him in a dream to swear a redemptive covenant with Him (Gen 15: 12-21). A covenant ratified with God himself in the form of a smoking pot and a flaming torch passes between a sacrifice prepared by the man, Abraham. An unprecedented picture of God walking between an animal sacrifice to say, I swear by Myself to keep the promise that I make to you. It is an incredibly gracious condescension. Why? He loves His creation so much that He is efforting to be with us through Abraham. Well, a greater one than Abraham or David or any servant is present in Jesus. He is unlike anyone. A perfectly obedient, unique Son who accomplishes God’s will in establishing His Kingdom on earth. God is finally incredibly “with us.” This redemptive effort brings Jesus to us as Son and King. His work is teaching the true God honoring life and a cross. He is king of a different kind; a servant King who loves and gathers His children into God’s presence (or salvation) by dying for them on a cross and then overwhelming the greatest efforts of an evil, terrible death. He will conquer evil’s best and final weapon, but before He does, He redemptively suffers for you and me. Think on these things redeemed children of God.
Brother Barry Dunn
The Problem with Evil: Further Thoughts on Romans 8 in the Days of Corona
/“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8: 28
What is our take-away from Romans 8? What does living in the tension between a fallen creation and a new creation look like for us? It looks likewise and resilient faith, hope and love. Here are some hints: 1. We’d best be honest about the dangers and not test God by living recklessly, but wisely, confidently and faithfully serving. Paul was well acquainted with pain and suffering, but Christ gave Him perspective based on a promised future. Remember, he left his mission team in Berea (Acts 17) because of danger. Live wisely. 2. Trials and hurts often unlock our hearts and minds to hearing the word of God. So, be honest with pain but embrace your Bible and your prayer life when you hurt. Pain and suffering can drive us from God or draw us to Him. 3. Trials can temper you. So soberly ask yourself, what needs to change in me? 4. Trials engender in us opportunities to show grace and mercy to others, just as Jesus does with us. Live grace-filled lives, enriching others and glorifying God. This is how we wait and pray for deliverance from the Corona Virus and all the corruptions of this world.
In response: I am asking all our members to call 3 shut-ins, 3 family members and 3 friends each day to check on them.
Brother Barry Dunn
The Problem with Evil: Further Thoughts on Romans 8 in the Days of Corona
/“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8: 35-37
Remember, we live in the tension of a fallen creation. It is filled with death, decay, and rebellion. This reality is starkly different from the future new heaven and earth. The Holy Spirit is with you bringing the power and fellowship we long for today. He is also proof of the certainty of God’s preferred future. The life we cherish is not one of temporary power, temporary health or temporary wealth that ends in futility. Granted, it is easier to discuss this when we are not in a crisis of grief or fear. When the Day of the Lord arrives, our faith in Christ, as Paul says in Romans 8:28, assures us “All things work together for good, to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.” We are confident that we will be conformed to the risen likeness of Jesus, that we are more than conquerors of the death and decay of this creation. Why confident? Because it is God’s final plan, and He sits as King of all creation and history. Like Abraham, we are now God’s children by faith. We are purchased with Christ's blood. His redeemed sons and daughters. “So, what shall separate me from the love of Christ?” Not one thing of this sin-ravaged world, not famine, not hardship, not persecution, not dangers in this world, not disease. One day, when the time is right, all things will be made right. We shall be conformed to His resurrected image. Until then, I belong to His mission and the pain sometimes caused by that mission. Suffering will give way to His future and goodness. He will set right, all wrongs, and wipe away our tears. So, we wait, serve, endure, pray, and enjoy the comfort of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence.
Brother Barry Dunn
The Problem with Evil: Faith in days of Corona Virus
/“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38-39
Loved ones, today, as I sit in my office, I have been in more conference calls and group messages than I ever imagined. People have asked questions like: Is God in control? Is God good? The Bible answers, yes. Then, why is evil in the world, like viruses? I am reflecting deeply on Romans 8. The answers to these questions fill many books, but here is my thinking contained in several short articles.
The Christian answer requires a healthy appreciation for living in tension: The Kingdom is “now,” with the Holy Spirit, but the Kingdom is also “not yet.” Life is not what it should be. In Romans 8, Paul grasps this paradox, in spades. Western culture has come to believe that true goodness looks like power, health, and wealth on this earth. Christians have long known this is wrong. Wealthy and powerful people suffer and die. God’s goodness does not insulate us from the sin ravaged creation. We still often live with desperate, vexed, and sin-filled hearts. Our peace is found in fellowship with God; in a life with Him in a new, re-made heaven and earth, that is not unlike the Garden of Eden. Until we fully enter that time, we will live with Him; but in a world of death and decay. This truth will not get you fanfare in our culture, but it is our “real.”
In Response: I am asking all our members to call 3 shut-ins, 3 family members and 3 friends each day to check on them.
Brother Barry
Proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation
/Loved ones, I try to stay focused on Kingdom ministry at our church. However, several of you have been asking me about the state of the United Methodist Church. So, have we split? No.
What is the “Proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation?” Ok, first, that is a long name. The Protocol is an agreed upon resolution to be proposed at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in May; it was developed by a wide range of delegates. If passed, it would create two denominations from one (details in the document). Many of you have heard about this in the news or online; I have provided a link to the Protocol below.
Is the Protocol good? In my humble opinion, as a traditional pastor (marriage is only between a man and woman, for instance), it is sad, but also hopeful. We have irreconcilable differences concerning doctrine and discipline rooted in how we interpret and even regard Scripture. It manifests itself around ethics, like the practice of homosexuality, but it is much deeper. So basic is this to our covenant (ordination) as clergy, we cannot function or minister well; in fact, we fight. When this conflict is seen in public, it is a bad witness. If the Protocol passes, and we separate, it may allow each party to function more peacefully. We may even find some ways to serve together. I am hopeful.
What might this Protocol mean? If the Protocol passes, the progressive/liberal expression would remain under United Methodist and retain its structures. The United Methodist expression will move to remove restrictions on marrying and ordaining LGBTQ persons and other matters. The traditional pastors (like myself), conferences, and churches would be in a new traditional expression of Methodism under the Protocol. Although I am not involved, deep discussions and drafts of an infrastructure have taken place with leaders around the world.
I will have a better sense of the Protocol’s support by April and may have more information regarding the new traditional expression at that time. I will plan to meet with our Board and the entire congregation in April to discuss likely contingencies. I hope this synopsis helps.
Barry
Link to Protocol:
https://cdnsc.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2020/01/03/15/48/Protocol-of-Reconciliation-and-Grace-through-Separation
Why Do Churches Get Sick and Vanish?
/Why Do Churches Get Sick and Vanish?
I remember being shocked to learn that Toys R Us was dead. Experts diagnosed that stores went without maintenance for too long. Dust collected on the floors and rafters because cleaning services were cut back. Aisles were a chaotic mess. Employees grappled with expanding work loads. Knowledgeable staff were let go. Key customer satisfaction metrics were fudged by leaders. Their market position in the past made little difference to new parents. In short, they became unattractive and in the “wooing parents” business, that is the kiss of death.
We undertook the task last month of discussing “How churches die?” We were reminded that it is an erosion that is slow and lethal. As promised, I follow this up with some reflections on, “Why?” What are the presenting issues that cause such terminal erosion in churches? Let’s consider two reasons this month.
First, they are enamored with a preferred past. Please don’t misunderstand, this is not about historic doctrine or biblical morals, but the “good old days” memories. The temptation to reminisce past victories instead of the consideration of future faithfulness. This is a real danger. It results in the disease of complacency. The goal of God’s people is steadfast faithfulness to the Gospel, not being a museum of the past. Cherish the past yes, but if you live there, you are not healthy. The healthy church is always discussing a present opportunity and a preferred future.
Second, they are blind to the mission field. The ministry formula of death is {Me + My priority=death}. This is another way of saying, if you have no interest in the community or the neighbors around you, only an interest in yourself, it is a huge issue. The Gospel is a “going” enterprise. It is not that we don’t gather and take care of each other, but we cannot live faithfully unless we are sharing the good news with others. The ministry formula of vibrancy is {Others + My Priority=Life}.
So, what does this say to us? Churches vanish when they are worshiping the past and fail to see their mission field. So, let us never lose focus of our reason for existing. Let us remain faithful to our generation and the community we serve in His name. We are about the business of making disciples who are full-fledged partakers of the salvation God in Christ Jesus. His is the one that transforms lives. The highest quality of life is available and found only in Christ.
May we Live On!
Brother Barry
Special thanks to Thom Rainer, Gary McIntosh, the Barna Group.
Live Well and Strong
/Loved Ones,
It is a joy to serve you! In the coming months I want to discuss church health. Our leadership chose this term because it is popular and relatable. It does not encapsulate all the nuances of understanding life in the Body of Christ, but Paul did use the human anatomy to describe church. The use of our bodies is a huge theme throughout Holy Scripture. As a source, I will use Tom Rainer primarily and sprinkle in Bishop Schnase, Pat Lincione, and Gary L. McIntosh along with others whose ideas rest in my subconscious and I do not remember their names.
Healthiness: The state of being in good health. Being physically fit without major issue; feeling good; looking good; living in a way where others want to be around me (definition by Rev. Barry C. Dunn).
Pat Lincione clearly states that the health of any enterprise is directly related to clarity about its reason for existing. So, our reason for existing is directly related to our corporate relationship with Jesus Christ and understood in Sacred Scripture. This leads to His direction and our declaring His Gospel in word and holy living. You might say, we desire the highest quality of life for ourselves and others by showing them Christ and His holy way of life. There it is, our reason.
So, “why” do Churches die? They die for several reasons. I will defer to Tom Rainer. He identifies several causes which I will convey over the next few months, and all of them will be a loss of clarity. This month, let us examine “how” churches die.
Churches die slowly. People usually die from health-related matters over a sustained period of time. So do churches. We, like frogs in a kettle, succumb to a slow cook. The erosion of health takes years. We easily see a building get old, but we rarely notice other things. A decline in vibrant worship. A decline in fervent prayer with expectation. A slow disconnection or relevance with our community and its soul. The loss of desire to witness to our neighbor or invite them to church. An over concern for memories which leaves no room for hopes and dreams for a preferred future. A boredom within staff. A longing for once vibrant ministries but annoyance with current ones. There are others, but this slow erosion of heart leads us to becoming “beside ourselves.” We embrace survival to maintain nostalgic memories and not Gospel engagement. This is how churches die.
So join me in a quest to live well and strong. We will study preventive health in the next few months because healthy is good. Let’s do it!
Brother Barry