Reflections From Sunday Evening

Back from Jurisdictional Conference where the Rev. Robert (Bob) Farr was elected bishop.  Bob is a native of Missouri and has served effectively in our conference for many years.  Many of us have watched his development as a disciple of Jesus and leader in the Church.  It was a double joy when we learned that Bishop Farr has been assigned to serve the Missouri Conference.  This is a bit of an unprecedented move but illustrates how many of us believe God's hand was truly in the process.  We welcome Bishop Farr who begins his new chapter of ministry among us September 1.
Jurisdictional Conference is an interesting thing.  For nearly two days it seems like we are a divided, stalemated Church.  Then things begin to develop and the next thing you know everything is new and onward we go!
I hope to learn a lesson from the Church as I survey the divisions in our nation and even our church.  Some people in our various denominations get the idea that things are so divided up that we will not be able to continue in ministry together.
Many in our country look at the divisions of the day and get a feeling that we may not get out of this one.
These are difficult times.  But we have been through difficult times before.  What could preachers have been preaching, people thinking and Christians doing during the days around the Civil War?
Maybe we could go back deeper in Church History and consider some of the huge differences among Christians that literally took hundreds of years to work through.
We do live in urgent times.  We live in a time that calls for faithful action.  But we are also a people of history.  Patience is a fruit of the Spirit.  I would not encourage anyone to postpone action but to also realize that patience is trusting God.
We pray.  We participate.  We engage.  We trust.  God is still at work.  God will move in history and in our lives.
On another note...
Another shooting today...
God, in your mercy.
Next weekend we will have a conversation about racism and violence.  Two members of our congregation, Jamie Grayson and Keith Cash, will share.  I will also include insights from  law enforcement people in our congregation.  I believe this will be a significant conversation and we will be drawn a bit deeper into the Kingdom of God because of it.
It's been a troubling, yet good day.
Steve