Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Update on Bishop G
For those of you who didn't know, our founding pastor and friend, Roy Gerald had a physical incident on this last Sunday morning. We were concerned that it might be serious. I spent the afternoon at the hospital with him and spoke with the doctors. They ran several tests and the tests came back with a good report. All of his vital signs are good and he was released the same day. Apparently, the incident was caused by taking pain medication on an empty stomach! (He had some surgery about 10 days ago.) He is now recovering with his daughter in Chicago. Thank you for your prayers and concern.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Grits
Some things always come in groups. They just don't come by themselves or if they do they are insignificant. Only as a group is it powerful.
One of the hallmarks to my past is Louisiana food: things like grits. I love the story of the Yankee who walks into a Louisiana diner and orders the lunch special which comes with grits. He asks the waitress, "What's a grit?" She says in her Louisiana drawl, "They're GRITS honey. They don't come by themselves."
Neither do Christians. I may have a personal relationship with Christ, but Christians don't come by themselves. It's a group thing. Think of the symbols Jesus used when talking about his followers: flock, family, city, church (which means "an assembly of those who are called"). What's the common characteristic of these? They are plural. It's a group thing. We don't come by ourselves.
I've been stunned by the movement that says we don't need to meet together anymore. "We can see church via satellite in the privacy of our homes--solo." You might see the "church" but to be the "church" means we have to get together often. This isn't my idea. It's God's idea. For centuries, the "church" has gathered and found courage, refuge and hope. Maybe God knew what He was talking about.
I'm so excited to be a part of community of faith that understands this. Most of our folks here at SCCC understand the power that comes from connecting with others.
One of the hallmarks to my past is Louisiana food: things like grits. I love the story of the Yankee who walks into a Louisiana diner and orders the lunch special which comes with grits. He asks the waitress, "What's a grit?" She says in her Louisiana drawl, "They're GRITS honey. They don't come by themselves."
Neither do Christians. I may have a personal relationship with Christ, but Christians don't come by themselves. It's a group thing. Think of the symbols Jesus used when talking about his followers: flock, family, city, church (which means "an assembly of those who are called"). What's the common characteristic of these? They are plural. It's a group thing. We don't come by ourselves.
I've been stunned by the movement that says we don't need to meet together anymore. "We can see church via satellite in the privacy of our homes--solo." You might see the "church" but to be the "church" means we have to get together often. This isn't my idea. It's God's idea. For centuries, the "church" has gathered and found courage, refuge and hope. Maybe God knew what He was talking about.
I'm so excited to be a part of community of faith that understands this. Most of our folks here at SCCC understand the power that comes from connecting with others.
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