Well, where does one even begin. Let’s just be honest, these are frustrating, difficult and trying times to say the least. We are experiencing things and being asked to do things that are foreign to us. So many questions, and not a lot of answers. When will it be over, and how bad will it get are the questions on everyone’s mind? Parents are trying to tell their kids that their school year is over, and then dealing with the disappointment to follow. Schools are trying to find ways to keep teaching kids in ways they have never had to before. Then there is the healthcare facilities and staff. We can’t even begin to understand the challenges they face and will face for a while. Like me, I’m sure many of you have had moments of great faith and moments of great frustration and perhaps even a little angry. Considering our foundations have been shaken, these are normal responses. In response to this new pandemic, I wanted to share just a few things.
So, where do we go from here? The first thing I would say is this; try and figure out what God is teaching you in this moment. I don’t believe God desires to see his people sick and frustrated and I certainly don’t believe he has caused this crisis. However, I am confident, that he is using it to reveal some things to us. Perhaps, he is reminding us that we are not in control. We tend to have a false sense of security that we can control everything. I’m relieved to be reminded that I am not in control. It would seem to me that the creator of all things is better suited to be in control during times like this, than we are. How much more we will be at peace if we take a position of submission to his control, rather than fight to regain control. Afterall, if we did regain control, we would just make a mess of things anyway.
Is it possible that we have forgotten the importance of family, relationship and community by being self-absorbed by our own needs, wants and desires? Could it be that we have in some ways allowed technology and electronic devices to replace real human connection? In many ways this crisis has forced us back to basics of life. As bad as things appear, they really don’t seem all that different than my childhood. Things like eating dinner together as a family, being home most evenings to play outside and finding creative ways to entertain ourselves are so far removed from our daily patterns in life these days.
What lesson is God trying to teach the church in this season? The worship team, head of the board, and myself have had a couple of virtual prayer meetings, and we have more scheduled. We have been intentional about seeking God’s direction and help and calling upon him for strength to lead in this new day. We have been praying for each of you, and your spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. One of the things that Amanda and I came into agreement on is that God is teaching us new things as church leaders, but even more importantly holding us accountable to things we already knew. I’ve always known and believed in my heart that the church is not the building, but the building is only one of many tools we have been given. We’ve been forced into doing worship in a whole new way. Again, things we’ve known we should have been doing for a long time, but God has used this moment to exhaust all our excuses. By God’s grace we have worked tirelessly to create an online worship experience that although new, can be powerful and meaningful, and we are still learning more. As only God could, He has taken technology that we often use in a negative way and has used it as a powerful tool to reach people who otherwise were not being reached. The word of God has landed in more homes over these past few weeks than ever before. I see people joining our online experience that I don’t even know, and I see some joining that I do know that have never been church goers and maybe have never even been in church building except for a wedding or funeral. Another example of how God can use anything to draw people to himself. Don’t get me wrong, I do miss seeing each of you at least weekly. I do miss the smiles, handshakes, and hugs, and do look forward to when we can safely gather again. You can be certain however, that when we are able to once again gather, we will still be offering the online experience to those who are still not ready or are unable to gather physically.
As we move past the current circumstance, we (the church) need to be prepared to minister to people in a different way. When we can safely be around one another, the outcomes don’t immediately go away. The fallout on churches, business, and individuals will remain. There will be economic struggles and challenges for people and businesses, the social distancing and isolation from others will take its toll on people’s emotional state of mind, and as a result some will engage in destructive behaviors and even addictions. Some will have gotten out of the habit of going to church and they will slip backwards in their faith and it will be hard for them to return to church. We need to be aware and ready to invest in those people’s lives and doing so through the power of the spirit, because we too will be tired and weary.
The list goes on and on of what God might be trying to teach us as a nation and you as an individual. God might simply be calling us into a spit of repentance. God is far too big for me to try and comprehend his mind and what he is trying to accomplish in this. If I could comprehend his way of thinking, he would be too small of a God from me. He has certainly revealed many things to us as a nation, and I’m sure has revealed some truths to you as he has to me. I think that is what is meant by the text in James that says count it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face difficult times. It’s not pure joy to be isolated from people and concerned whether you or someone close to you will be infected. However, there is great joy in the lessons learned from such events. The sooner we understand and embrace the lessons, the sooner God will end this crisis. As I talked about on Sunday, if we continue in his word, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. In its context, specifically it references freedom from sin, but knowing an understanding the truth of his word, also sets us free from worry, anxiety and fear. Please find rest and re-assurance in that truth, and ask yourself this every day; is my faith bigger than my fear?
As I said, we are taking creative measures to create an opportunity for everyone to worship together. We are taking another step this Sunday and will be streaming our service live to our YouTubepage for those that are not on Facebook. If you don’t know how to or if you are not sure you have what you need to follow along online, please reach out to Amanda or me, and we will try and get you set up. Please let us know if there is any other way we can minister to you during this time, whether it be simply sharing a prayer need with us, delivering groceries, or anything in between. Remember the building on Church Street is closed, but Gregory Community Church is open and ready to serve.
I miss you all and look forward to our meeting together again soon. Stay safe and healthy and remember God is on His throne!
Pastor's Pen
Hello church family,
Well, where does one even begin. Let’s just be honest, these are frustrating, difficult and trying times to say the least. We are experiencing things and being asked to do things that are foreign to us. So many questions, and not a lot of answers. When will it be over, and how bad will it get are the questions on everyone’s mind? Parents are trying to tell their kids that their school year is over, and then dealing with the disappointment to follow. Schools are trying to find ways to keep teaching kids in ways they have never had to before. Then there is the healthcare facilities and staff. We can’t even begin to understand the challenges they face and will face for a while. Like me, I’m sure many of you have had moments of great faith and moments of great frustration and perhaps even a little angry. Considering our foundations have been shaken, these are normal responses. In response to this new pandemic, I wanted to share just a few things.
So, where do we go from here? The first thing I would say is this; try and figure out what God is teaching you in this moment. I don’t believe God desires to see his people sick and frustrated and I certainly don’t believe he has caused this crisis. However, I am confident, that he is using it to reveal some things to us. Perhaps, he is reminding us that we are not in control. We tend to have a false sense of security that we can control everything. I’m relieved to be reminded that I am not in control. It would seem to me that the creator of all things is better suited to be in control during times like this, than we are. How much more we will be at peace if we take a position of submission to his control, rather than fight to regain control. Afterall, if we did regain control, we would just make a mess of things anyway.
Is it possible that we have forgotten the importance of family, relationship and community by being self-absorbed by our own needs, wants and desires? Could it be that we have in some ways allowed technology and electronic devices to replace real human connection? In many ways this crisis has forced us back to basics of life. As bad as things appear, they really don’t seem all that different than my childhood. Things like eating dinner together as a family, being home most evenings to play outside and finding creative ways to entertain ourselves are so far removed from our daily patterns in life these days.
What lesson is God trying to teach the church in this season? The worship team, head of the board, and myself have had a couple of virtual prayer meetings, and we have more scheduled. We have been intentional about seeking God’s direction and help and calling upon him for strength to lead in this new day. We have been praying for each of you, and your spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. One of the things that Amanda and I came into agreement on is that God is teaching us new things as church leaders, but even more importantly holding us accountable to things we already knew. I’ve always known and believed in my heart that the church is not the building, but the building is only one of many tools we have been given. We’ve been forced into doing worship in a whole new way. Again, things we’ve known we should have been doing for a long time, but God has used this moment to exhaust all our excuses. By God’s grace we have worked tirelessly to create an online worship experience that although new, can be powerful and meaningful, and we are still learning more. As only God could, He has taken technology that we often use in a negative way and has used it as a powerful tool to reach people who otherwise were not being reached. The word of God has landed in more homes over these past few weeks than ever before. I see people joining our online experience that I don’t even know, and I see some joining that I do know that have never been church goers and maybe have never even been in church building except for a wedding or funeral. Another example of how God can use anything to draw people to himself. Don’t get me wrong, I do miss seeing each of you at least weekly. I do miss the smiles, handshakes, and hugs, and do look forward to when we can safely gather again. You can be certain however, that when we are able to once again gather, we will still be offering the online experience to those who are still not ready or are unable to gather physically.
As we move past the current circumstance, we (the church) need to be prepared to minister to people in a different way. When we can safely be around one another, the outcomes don’t immediately go away. The fallout on churches, business, and individuals will remain. There will be economic struggles and challenges for people and businesses, the social distancing and isolation from others will take its toll on people’s emotional state of mind, and as a result some will engage in destructive behaviors and even addictions. Some will have gotten out of the habit of going to church and they will slip backwards in their faith and it will be hard for them to return to church. We need to be aware and ready to invest in those people’s lives and doing so through the power of the spirit, because we too will be tired and weary.
The list goes on and on of what God might be trying to teach us as a nation and you as an individual. God might simply be calling us into a spit of repentance. God is far too big for me to try and comprehend his mind and what he is trying to accomplish in this. If I could comprehend his way of thinking, he would be too small of a God from me. He has certainly revealed many things to us as a nation, and I’m sure has revealed some truths to you as he has to me. I think that is what is meant by the text in James that says count it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face difficult times. It’s not pure joy to be isolated from people and concerned whether you or someone close to you will be infected. However, there is great joy in the lessons learned from such events. The sooner we understand and embrace the lessons, the sooner God will end this crisis. As I talked about on Sunday, if we continue in his word, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. In its context, specifically it references freedom from sin, but knowing an understanding the truth of his word, also sets us free from worry, anxiety and fear. Please find rest and re-assurance in that truth, and ask yourself this every day; is my faith bigger than my fear?
As I said, we are taking creative measures to create an opportunity for everyone to worship together. We are taking another step this Sunday and will be streaming our service live to our YouTube page for those that are not on Facebook. If you don’t know how to or if you are not sure you have what you need to follow along online, please reach out to Amanda or me, and we will try and get you set up. Please let us know if there is any other way we can minister to you during this time, whether it be simply sharing a prayer need with us, delivering groceries, or anything in between. Remember the building on Church Street is closed, but Gregory Community Church is open and ready to serve.
I miss you all and look forward to our meeting together again soon. Stay safe and healthy and remember God is on His throne!
Peace!
Pastor Dan