No, I'm not trying to discern what to do about Amendment B. I'm solid on that, sin is sin. I need say no more on that ...
No, my time of discernment is being used to decide what, if anything, I can do as Elder for Evangelism, and chair of the Nominating Committee. I've been getting ready for an Alpha Course after Easter, getting advertising setup for our Easter services, leading a Lenten Bible study, and trying to figure how to energize members to volunteer as Elders and Deacons.
If you've been following this blog, and I commend you on your pain threshold if you have, you'll note my frustrations at trying to teach a bunch of country club Presbyterians about becoming disciples who understand that church is not just something you do for an hour on Sunday.
And so, I pray .. for myself (Lord knows I need it), and for the church, and for guidance.
Once again, all I can say is that I hear you.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and with you.
We are digging the foundations for a church we will never see rise-- but rise it will in God's own time. Remember always that I and others pray with you as you shovel hip-deep in the muck-- we are all there together! If you listen, you will hear us grunting right along with you. Keep at it, brother!
ReplyDeleteYour Brother in Christ,
Clay
Praying for you, RC. Hate to see you frustrated and discouraged, but know it's part of the journey, too.
ReplyDeleteHarken back to other days we have shared, my Zoomie brother: I know you are up to your "waist" in alligators; I'll be praying for a nicely drained swamp. The Great Engineer knows just what rate of flow He is looking for.
ReplyDeleteWe both know that one of the Leadership Principles is "Set ther example." The problem is that setting the example may often entail standing up when everyone else is hugging the ground and shouting, as our dog-faced brethren know, "Get up and get moving. Follow me!" (or as Gunny Daly more succinctly put it, "C'mon you sons of bitches. Do you want to live forever?")
Hard business, this leadership thing, but the promise of "living forever" is one we are commanded to spread to Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and to the end of the block--even if the block doesn't want to hear it.
Pastor Clay has it just right. We dig and drain, knowing not if we'll see a dry swamp, but we must just keep on digging and draining.
As I said, I'm praying for you.
Mac