Another Piece Up!

As part of my writing cohort I recently had the chance to contribute to a project called “Letters to the Church.” The idea was to reimagine what one of the pastoral letters might sound like in our day and age, and it ended up being a really fun way to write about something I care about deeply.

It starts like this:

“Ben, called to be a servant of our friend and Lord, Jesus Christ.

To the Church of God that is in ‘Anytown,’ to those beloved by Christ, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and called to be set-apart ones: Grace to you and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

You probably didn’t know this, but every time I think about you I say a quick but heartfelt prayer of gratitude to God, not only because I see Jesus’ grace powerfully working through you for good, but also because this reminds me of Jesus’ deep kindness towards each of us, present before the foundation of the world. It is out of this deep kindness that Jesus called us to follow him together as sisters and brothers.

I generally think of following Christ as a joyful yet strenuous journey, one filled with moments of doubt, confusion, and sometimes despair. What greater sign of Jesus’ love for us is there than the fact that he calls us to go on this journey together, loving and supporting one another, pointing one other to him every step of the way? When you see me lifting my hands in worship to God, this thought is often the reason why.

Do you share my gratitude?

When you’re in the middle of it, sometimes it’s hard to see just how much of an impact Jesus’ grace is having as it works through one’s church. But it is clear from my perspective that your continued effort to gather together as the Church, is in many ways a beacon of Christ’s hope. As you gather, you welcome the Holy Spirit–not only during your formal worship services, but into every relational interaction and kind gesture along the way. You inquire after one another with genuine care, coming alongside those who are in deepest need, whether that be material or spiritual. And in the midst of a generation that feels disconnected to their own souls, you offer a safe harbor to both give and receive soul care.

There is so much more I could say, but my initial point is this: As you have come together to follow Christ, you have opened the door to Jesus’ grace to work powerfully in so many transformational ways, and I am thankful that you have done this, and that Christ is accomplishing this work in and through you. 

And yet, when most of your neighbors think of Anytown Church, they do not experience this grace-filled reality. Instead, as many of you have heard, when your neighbors consider the church, they largely think of endless scandals, greed, abuse, and cover up. How can this be? I have just spoken of the goodness of your community. Have your neighbors lost their wits? Have they somehow been blinded to the true goodness of Anytown Church; perhaps deceived by the Enemy?

The answer to these rhetorical questions is harsh, but true: No, your neighbors have not lost their wits.They simply see what their eyes tell them: that even as many lives within your church have been impacted for good, many others have been simultaneously harmed. Your neighbors know this to be true because it is the lives of their co-workers, friends, and loved ones that are being harmed within your walls.”

Here’s the link in case you’re interested in reading the whole thing: https://missioalliance.org/we-must-rethink-the-role-of-the-pastor/