Hello, Church!
As we move from October, and pastor’s appreciation month, to November-December, and the holiday season, I want to say thank you for all the cards, notes, and words of affirmation I’ve received in the past few weeks. Debbie and I continue to be blessed by all your encouragement. Thank you.
Looking to the future with a sense of urgency, but not anxiety, we’ve made the decision over the last 2.5 years to double down on the theme of being on a journey together with Jesus. That’s our mission as a church – to provide for everyone who seeks it, a way to follow Jesus together daily in life. For that journey with Jesus to go well, we as a church need to commit to employ three tools: 1) To rely on the scriptures as the authoritative narrative that gives vibrancy to our spiritual life. 2) To practice peacemaking by committing to compassionate candor – caring deeply for one another and lovingly challenging one another. 3) To serve our neighbors near and far with generosity in the Way of Jesus.
Last week, I wrote to you about what reliance on the scriptures might mean for us as a church. This week, I want to reflect on compassionate candor.
Compassionate candor is taking seriously two relational commitments. The first relational commitment we make is to care deeply for one another. By and large, we do this reasonably well. We want the best for one another. I’m warmed by the genuine care we show one another in the church. But without a commitment to challenge each other directly, our caring deeply and personally, becomes behaviors of ruinous empathy. I can’t be a fully engaged disciple of Jesus if the only guidance and feedback I receive in Christian community is focused on being nice to me at all costs. Sometimes, perhaps most of the time, I need to be challenged. My path and your path to deeper, more transparent discipleship includes, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4.15).
In the call you extended to me to become Lead Pastor, you said (at least) two things that were critical of my performance as a preacher. Some of you said that my words of gratitude every week had begun to feel insincere. And some of you encouraged me to stop asking so many questions in my sermons and start answering a few of them. In sharing your counsel, I heard care for me that was deep and a challenge to me directly to grow as a preacher. One of the many reasons we’ve moved to a preaching ensemble isn’t just to provide different voices – as important as that is. One of the reasons we have a preaching ensemble is to improve my quality as a preacher. Your compassionate candor has, in my opinion, contributed to me being a better pastor and a more faithful disciple. So, thanks. While it may not always be easy for any of us to hear the challenges as caring, I choose to believe that challenging directly, when mixed with deep caring, isn’t mean. It’s clear. And clarity is the starting point towards a united people of God in missional renewal.
So, my brothers and sisters, thank you for the great privilege that it is to serve you as one of your pastors. Thank you for the clear call to create and manage deep change over the next 21 months. Thank you for your growth toward increased compassionate candor with one another in the church.
Let’s go, Church (caring deeply and challenging directly as disciples of Jesus on the journey together with Him)!
Pastor Jeff
jeff@bgmc.net
P.S. | Hey, church, I’m here in Pennsylvania for two Fridays in November (November 1 and November 8) to meet up with you for coffee at the Broad Street Grind (3:30pm-4:45pm). And I’m here for two Monday breakfasts in November (November 4 and November 11) to meet up with you at the A&N Diner (7:30am-8:45am). Debbie and I will be in California, November 12-29. I’ll be working remotely on Blooming Glen agenda, and on-site for Mosaic California agenda, November 13-21, and November 25-27.