These are my girls. Aren't they precious? I'm blessed beyond words to have them both. Thanks to Hot Cup Lutheran for the reminder that "Happy Things" do exist.
It's been a rough, rough day. I've spent the better part of the last 15 hours doing a lot of soul searching about the ministry of our congregation and my leadership in that role - how have I contributed to problems, how have I tried to solve some recurring problems in the past, what can be done at this point, and most importantly, how do I speak the truth about the change and growth that needs to happen without a) losing my temper or b) hurting the members of my congregation needlessly?
Sunday will be a day for conversation about where we are as a congregation. The gospel reading for this week is Luke 12.49-56, which ends with Jesus asking those around him, "You can read the signs in the weather: why can't you read the signs of the times as well?" The call to speak the truth in love is hounding me today - it seems that, as Jeremiah 23 also reads this week, the word is "a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces." Right now, I'm the one in pieces, and I need to be honest about that. But there are other rocks that need to be broken here, and wielding the hammer will not be pleasant. Not that I see myself in the role of Jeremiah or, heaven forbid, Jesus here: it's just that the Word is after me this week and I don't see any way of breaking free other than speaking the truth.
Been there ... praying. Meantime, have you read Tandaina's sermon on this text, posted here: here
ReplyDeleteYou're in my prayers, Scott. Prayers for discernment, truth, and both prophetic and pastoral words, as each becomes necessary.
ReplyDeleteI'll say a prayer for you today. May God give you wisdom, tact, and love, and may you proclaim the Gospel boldly! Keep your focus on Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2)--a sleepy little town like Barrett often needs a lot of pushing and prodding to avoid getting stuck in ruts.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, enough from me. As I said, I'll say a prayer for you. God bless!
We'll be praying for you and your conversation.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you. I do want to note again that I'm part of the problem here, too. And, unfortunately, ruts come to towns of all shapes and sizes, including this one which I've come to love deeply. This is what makes things doubly painful; knowing that I have helped create the mess in which we find ourselves right now.
ReplyDeleteAgain, thanks for your prayers.
But you are addressing the problems faithfully, and that is all anyone can ask. Prayers foryou and your congregation.
ReplyDeletethe word does hound and haunt and help and heal and all that jazz... it is a tough week for preaching if we are honest with ourselves and with our people. be faithful. be wise. be gentle... that's my 2 cents worth anyhow. and as always take time to remember the happy things!
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