Dear RSNY Church Family and Friends,
I hope this message finds you and your congregation well and encouraged by the blessings of our faith and mission to serve faithfully. As we come together to celebrate another season of the church, I am excited to share words of excitement as we enter another season of church opportunities that has the potential to bring new life and energy to our congregations.
During the summer months, I heard from many Pastors who said, ”I have been too busy to understand the need of our Consistories for the Fall.” As I listened to their preparation to please their Consistories during their vacation time, I wondered how much time was spent for “Me Time.”
I thought about the story of Moses in Exodus 17:10-11. “Whenever Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek prevailed.” The prophet learned that gravity is an unrelenting foe: Without support, “Moses’ hands grew weary” (Exodus 17:12). We see similar stories in our churches in preparation and for service. The lives of Consistories are suspended in midair when the pastor’s hands are held high with the support of the church, and like Israel, the church move forward. As hands droop, the devil play havoc.
Like Moses, Pastors know such weariness — this burn of holding their hands up in intercession for God’s people, even during their time to rest on their vacations. Almost tireless, see them upon the hill, day in day out, month in month out, year in year out. Seasons change, but there they are upon the peak. Sometimes it all seems useless. Sometimes it is thankless. The spotlights of complaints beat upon the brow; the sorrows of their people wear on the spirit. Gravity, in ministry, is an unrelenting foe.
Ministry can be weary, without the collective support of the whole church. I must commend Ministers in our Synod for their amazing work during this time of disorientation in our world. COVID-19 gave many of us a period of pandemic rages, much of the energy and creativity is beginning to dissipate as we continue to examine what makes some churches continue to innovate and thrive, while others seem to be stuck.
As I listened to Pastors, I heard grief, overloaded with responsibilities that should be owed by the Consistories, pressure from the congregants to bring young people into the church, and no easy answers to the questions at the Pastor’s Office door!
Needless to say, life in the church is challenging these days! I have learned in over 45 years in ministry that every congregation, in their way, has been learning, adapting, and finding new ways to be the church in our changing communities. It is difficult!
My prayer has been how do we help overcome missional paralysis, even as Consistories are confused about the RCA Restructure Proposal on Assembly and proposals on ways and means to help Consistories restore church structures financially!
The importance of what Christian leaders, both Church-based and Specialized Ministers-based, do for Congregational members and friends, staff and communities stand out now more than ever. You are the most respected leader in the life of Jesus’ Church and you have all our admiration and support.
Be well, stay well…
In solidarity,
Prayerfully
Rev. Dr. Micheal Edwards