11 Comments

Beautifully put. I was up til midnight sifting through denomination comparisons and we watched multiple services online this morning. One kid is thrilled to be changing direction. The other is completely heartbroken. I don’t know yet where we’ll land, but I’m certain that these are tables that Jesus would have flipped. (There were other issues simmering before the pandemic.) Change is scary, hard, uncomfortable...and beautiful.

Expand full comment

Thank you and it sounds like you're in the middle of the journey. You're right, change is scary and hard and beautiful. Solidarity to you all! If you want to come to my church, I'll send you the virtual link. It's been a healing and breathing place for me. - Emily

Expand full comment

So sweet of you! We really need to find something local, but I’ll keep that in mind. We’re staying virtual only until the youngest (14) is fully vaxxed. :-)

Expand full comment

In my denomination, today is Pentecost. The sermon was about how the church has changed during his 48 years of priesthood, and the church will change in unknown ways in the coming 48. We can look back with nostalgia, or we can follow where the Holy Spirit leads us and invite that change to happen.

Expand full comment

Yes, so well said!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for your encouragement and for speaking truth and beauty into such difficult circumstances we find ourselves in as we discover we are misaligned with our church of 12 years. This has been so very difficult to see politics put ahead of people and a refusal to consider others and safely include the vulnerable among us. Is anyone aware of any churches in the San Antonio area who require masks and / or offer outdoor services? I have searched online and found nothing, and my family is desperate for Christian community.

Expand full comment

Well said. God has led us to move our membership after 25 years at our church, and it was a very difficult decision. I need to send you Martin Luther's pastoral council during epicemics. It is so well said and I have found it the best and timely perspective on what we are going through.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for this. I just stumbled upon you and have been so discouraged as a Christian with the seeming lack of care for the 'least of these' many churches have shown at this time. It never occurred to me to church shop for someone who IS requiring masks. We have been trying new churches. It's so hard to leave but it feels like there is not room for us at our beloved church now. Your post brings me so much hope and encouragement on what feel like dark and sad days. Thank you.

Expand full comment

I have had this post on my heart for a while. Could you DM me the church you are at now? I am Baptist and have felt less and less at home here and have an urging for a more liturgical church. Thank you for all you do here.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for your work—I have come back to this post multiple times in the past several months. We’re also at a heartbreaking point of deciding whether our church is the right one for us. We are in the greater Austin area and I’d love to start streaming church services from the area—if you don’t mind DMing me the church you are attending, I would love to check it out!

Expand full comment

...He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners.... Lovely words. At times, I feel that placing organizational "needs" above love of individuals is to become a prisoner that can only be freed by the quiet voice of Being.

Expand full comment