We’ve grieved, endured, grown, wrestled, switched course, switched course again, celebrated, and, I truly believe with all my heart, are poised for a season of visible growth, an outward flourishing that we all long for.
Five years ago this December we made a monumental decision as a church. We chose to practice a way of understanding Scripture and responding as a church that affirms and includes women as full participants in providing leadership for the Church as well as full inclusion and affirmation of those identifying as LGBTQIA+ in our community. We made the choice to start with belonging. There was no way to know how, exactly, it would play out.
While we saw some things coming, we couldn’t have anticipated a global pandemic, a political insurrection, a nationwide reckoning with systemic injustice and racism, and economic upheavals. These tectonic shifts coincided with the deep grief that came with so many people choosing to leave our fellowship, consciously rejecting our choice.
But now, five years later, there is so much to be grateful for. While outwardly it may not look like much, our roots have grown deep and strong. We’ve dug deep into Scripture with new eyes and hearts, had over 20 different people teach on Sundays leading us through Jesus’s parables, deep dives into ten different books, examining emotional health in light of Scripture, and embracing new understandings of Sabbath. We’ve met in a half dozen different places and volunteered with a number of different ministries. We’ve sold a building, bought a building, done demolition, waited…. months. We’ve shared meals around tables, stories and songs around campfires and hosted kids for Ranch Weeks.
We’ve grieved, endured, grown, wrestled, switched course, switched course again, celebrated, and, I truly believe with all my heart, are poised for a season of visible growth, an outward flourishing that we all long for.
If we hold on, that is. Paul hits on this when he instructs the Galatians to “not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.”
I’d like to take this one step further, to not only not give up, but to lean in. Lean into the future we have in front of us. Lean into the next steps we’re taking as a Church. Lean into all. So much has happened over these past five years that are worth honoring. Thank you for everything you’ve brought to this journey.
I’m asking each of us to lean in to help finish this year strong in our sacrificial giving, our participation and our celebration of Advent together. Just like we didn’t know what was to come five years ago, we can’t see what the next five hold either, but I’m confident we can trust the One we’re following, the one who calls every person everywhere beloved.
To God be all the glory and honor and power forever and ever, Amen!
John Ray and the Grace Church leadership team
