April 2023

In America today, churches are everywhere! Drive around small town USA in 2023 and it will quickly become apparent that there is a congregation on every corner: First Presbyterian, Calvary Baptist, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic, Second Presbyterian, Christ United Methodist, St. Stephen Episcopal, Holy Spirit Lutheran, and sometimes, even a Third Presbyterian! 

We’re everywhere. In many places, especially in the south, there are more churches than there are fast food restaurants, grocery stores, or drug stores! And yet, studies continue to reveal that the decline of the American church has still not been reversed. Churches are closing their doors every day, and the number of people claiming to be ‘spiritual’ but not religious continues to grow.

Now while there are no doubt many reasons for our decline, I remain increasingly convinced that in the end it is all about our messaging – particularly our messaging about the most important day in the life of the Church: Easter!

No! It’s not about bunnies and eggs. It’s not about tulips and lilies. But dare I just come right out and say that it’s also not about empty tombs and bodies coming back to life! Easter, friends, is about new life! It’s about a new way of being in this world. And it’s about the spirit of Jesus taking up residence in the church . . . in us! 

The church – ours, and every other congregation, on every corner, in every town – represents the risen body of Christ in the world today. WE, are the risen Christ! And our lives need to reflect the way of that Christ. They need to be lives overflowing with grace and mercy, kindness and compassion.  They need to be reflections of the love, and the peace, and the hope, that were so central to the life of Jesus! 

So let’s stop quoting Scripture and start living it. Let’s stop trying to convince people to BELIEVE our stories, and instead help them have an EXPERIENCE with the holy! Let’s stop trying to take the risen Christ to the world, and rather help the world discover the Christ that is already there . . . that is already here!

I sincerely hope that this Lenten season has deepened your walks with Jesus. And now, as we prepare to celebrate Easter, may we discover yet again, that our faith is always about the journey, not the destination!

Peace, and much love always . . . because of Him.

Pastor Bob