Back in June, Geoff Holsclaw wrote a post you can see below. It starts with four powerful words, “Your pastor loves you.”
June may seem like years away, but I wanted to take a moment today to reiterate this – Your pastor still loves you.
We find ourselves amid debates on masks, reopening, politics, schooling, vaccines, and several other topics. The past six months have felt disorienting.
I have the joy and honor to serve Browncroft Community Church in Rochester, NY. This church, like many others, is composed of a family with individuals of differing backgrounds and experiences. When it comes to the number of these debates, I know people with varying perspectives.
One of the clearest evidences of the gospel results from Jesus’ death and resurrection, pulling people together who would never have anything in common. The church stands as a testament to the world that what unites in Jesus is stronger than anything that could divide us.
Look below the surface of these debates, and you will encounter fear, worry, and uncertainty. That might not change your mind on any particular issue, but it might offer grace to a person you vehemently disagree.
I want to repeat where we started — Your pastor still loves you.
In this pandemic, I don’t think I’ve prayed as much for the church. I don’t think at any time that God has taught me more about compassion and empathy for the people I serve. I also have seen my blindspots and failures in far more visible ways.
Because your pastor still loves, I want you to know a few things…
I trust your judgment if you would rather not come to church in-person to protect your family.
I understand if you want to come back to church to see people right away because you long for relationships.
I pray for you to see God’s faithfulness in this wilderness season.
I want you to know that sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to sleep and drink water.
There are many other things I could say. For the majority of pastors I talk to, they feel the same way. We love you, and we know that Jesus can redeem even the worst of seasons.
Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash