2020 – June part 4
So, what else could I have to talk about this month?
More shake-ups are on the way.
We learned that our pastor was stepping down as lead pastor for Abundant Life Church.
In no uncertain terms, he was to stop his preaching for a few months, and stop all social media posts because he was being divisive by not sharing the counterpoint to social justice. He was to agree to these terms or resign. He was stirring up too many emotions in the church, challenging people, and the checkbooks that carry the church had enough of this liberal behavior and viewpoint. He considered the offer and resigned.
I suppose in a way the church was saying “Not so sure about this Black Lives Matter, but yeah I can tell you All Lives Matter”
We reached out to a Pastor that was still on staff and asked about these things. Everything they put out in communications contradicted the truth. This was the same from the Elders and others that were still on staff. This really touched a nerve.
Yeah, I understand that we are not the ones that no longer have a job. Our job was safe. Consider though that we are dealing with social justice internally, and now to a larger extent the church that we trusted, the elders, and the leadership have betrayed that trust. Going so far as to put another narrative that opposed the truth. How in good faith can we continue to go to this church? Simply put, we can’t and we won’t. NDAs should not be a thing at any church.
I can’t begin to explain the spiritual trauma that this is causing. I really am left with no words.
I get it, we shouldn’t really care about that, should we? If we go to worship at a church it’s all about God, yes. What about the people? Are we all just messed up racist little people who can’t get anything right?! Are we so twisted in our ways and so set in our facts that we are unable to change?! Sigh.
I’m not saying we all have to have the same viewpoints, but let’s be serious about things. Why wouldn’t Jesus care about the hurting? The marginalized? If we as a people don’t have the heart for the very things Jesus did… I mean.. UGH.
This is my lament.
I just can’t.
I really can’t.
For the rest of the month, we didn’t go to church.
We did take the kids to the dentist and Arabella made a sad face because it was bedtime (below).
We dropped the kids off overnight at Jacquees house so that Maryia and myself could have ONE night alone, apart from the kids. We booked a hotel room (see the neat stickers that they have on all of the doors showing that they have been cleaned? That is new since COVID) and enjoyed our night.
I leave with a photo of our favorite bridge. St Johns bridge.
just Pray
note: this post was published on 09/16/22 but moved the publish date back to the end of June 2020 to keep chronological order.