Life in my little corner of West Michigan continues to turn at quick pace, but the LORD has successfully infiltrated every corner of of my world and showered it with both blessings and challenges. You've heard entry after entry of the wonderful things the LORD has given me.
But this week is about the challenges.
And right now the biggest challenge of my life comes from within my congregation, because it's fairly safe to say that our family has turned to civil war. Families are lining up on both sides of the issues, tears are shed, voices are raised, and people are hurt. As many of you know, my church is facing some tough decisions, and I appreciate the concern that most of you have voiced. So this week, I want to talk about this war that I'm a part of.
Here's the situation: Our church has done a wonderful job of ministering to the community for the past 63 years. But we're running out of steam. For multiple reasons, our church has been in decline for the past couple decades, and now we're looking at a very grim future. After much research, prayer, and discernment, a church-transition specialist outlined four possible solutions to our problem, and one of them is for us to enter a partnership with a larger church. This means that we would give our leadership over to a larger church who then make fundamental changes to our ministry that would strengthen our ministry.
Essentially, Olivet would cease to exist and a new church would take it's place. This hasn't been officially decided yet, it's just the direction that our leadership is leaning.
It's a hard but necessary process. Currently, we minister to over 50 students from the immediate neighborhood. The LORD has commanded our presence in this community, but the ministry cannot continue under the current conditions. So while it does require sacrifice for us all, admittedly some more than others, it's for the greater good.
And that's where the war started.
Many of our congregation feel that this is a terrible idea. In fact some are considering leaving the church in protest. Our leadership has been taking heavy blows from the congregation, as the members speak very negatively about our leadership (myself included). People are very emotional. Feelings are hurt. People are frustrated.
Things are getting nasty.
My role in this war isn't to beat the other side and force them into submission. My goal is that of a mediator, trying to reconcile our congregation to itself, and bring it to an understanding. You see, the major issue is that our church is failing to see the greater good for the Kingdom of God. That's why I'm frustrated. People are so blinded by the possible loss of their church that they can't see the amazing opportunity God has given us. It greatly saddens me to see these people putting their own personal preferences before the good of the Kingdom, because ultimately, this decision to hand over our church now, while it's in good shape, will be for the greater good of our ministry.
I understand the fear. The pain. The sorrow. I understand that it's difficult to let go of control of the church they've poured so much of themselves into. But it's a necessary pain. Christ told us that following Him wouldn't be easy...."For whoever wants to find his life, must lose it."
And so I ask for your prayers. Pray for my church family. Pray for understanding, patience, wisdom, and peace. Pray for our us as we try to resolve this war and present a unified body ready for divine service. But also pray for me. I am growing weary. I am tired. I'm a little hurt. And I'm frustrated. Very frustrated.
Suffering from battle fatigue,
-B
For those of you who are a part of my church family. I love you. Every single one of you. And I pray that whatever the future has in store, you'll continue to be a part of my life and my ministry.
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