Dear Caldwell,
What’s NEXT? I’m awaiting my flight home from Minneapolis, where I’ve been attending a national gathering of folks who care passionately about the NEXT Church. Launched just a few years ago, this mix of Presbyterian pastors, elders and members is focused on where God is leading our denomination in an era marked by “nones,” people who call themselves Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNRs) and too many denominational insider arguments that turn people off and give organized religion a bad name. In response, in its own words:
The mission of NEXT Church is to foster relationships among God’s people: sparking imaginations; connecting congregations; offering a distinctively Presbyterian witness to Jesus Christ. Trusting in God’s sovereignty and grace, NEXT Church will engage the church that is becoming by cultivating vital connections, celebrating emerging leadership and innovation, and working with congregations and leaders to form and reform faith communities.
I’ve been here on your behalf, listening, imagining, gathering, praying, worshipping and connecting to others who belive God’s promise that God will give us “a future and a hope.” It has been a life-giving drenching of presentations, talks and worship that bears witness to all manner of fresh expressions of faith and witness to all. You can soak up some of the experience, too, if you like, at www.nextchurch.net We were honored to be able to share the Caldwell story at last year’s national gathering in Charlotte and I look forward to sharing more from this year’s conferece with you and hearing your thoughts on how Caldwell can continue to seek faithfully God’s will for what is “Next.”
Meanwhile, Lent continues: I was sorry to miss Steve Shoemaker’s sermon on Sunday and am grateful for your gracious reception of his word and presence among us. He is going to get us a copy of his sermon to post on the website. As I pondered the story he used, Jesus’ raising of Lazarus, I was struck by the connection between our Lenten journey of self-examination and Thomas’ words to Jesus about returning to raise Lazarus. Thomas said, “Let us go there that we may die with him.” Thomas’ words remind us that in Lent and in Holy Week upcoming, we must “die” to our old selves to be raised with Christ on Easter morning. The thing in us that must die is anything that keeps us separated from God and God’s purposes, that we may reclaim our true identity as God’s beloved. This Sunday, we will consider the passage from Ephesians that speaks of this rebirth in a different way: “For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light.” The trouble is, we tend to like the darkness, even when we are light itself, light to the world, to those around us, to our city, all through Christ. The full passage is Ephesians 5:8-14, if you’d like to spend some time with it. We will also celebrate both our ancient sacraments, the Lord’s Supper and a baptism (!) of baby Emily Newgreen.
Women’s Retreat: Godspeed, traveling mercies and prayers for a Spirit-infused retreat as 30 + Caldwelll women head for Montreat this weekend! May the Lord be with you there.
For Your Prayers: We hold Julie Price, her partner Donna, and Julie’s mother, Christine, in prayer following the death of Julie’s father, Herman on Monday. Jackie Abernethy has been transfered to Old Knox Commons in Huntersville for rehab. John Crowell is still in Bethesda undergoing diagnostic tests in regard to the possibility of a type of brain surgery to relieve a central tremor. Scott Creigh lost a beloved dog recently, a loss that can be as real and deep as any other. Please pray for all these individuals’ peace and recovery. My thanks to Evie for covering a busy schedule in my absence.
It’s almost time for take-off. See you soon.
In Christ, John