Dear Caldwell,
The top story in today’s news, in case you’ve been hiding under a rock (which I could certainly understand!) is the ritual performed last night in the U.S. Capitol – the annual State of the Union address. As Forrest Gump might say, “That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”
What’s on my mind today, and most every day, is the state of the church – the church universal and your church, Caldwell Presbyterian. Context is always helpful, so I take note that fewer than half of Americans consider religion to be an extremely or very important part of their identity, according to the 2018 American Family Survey. That’s not news. The state of the organized church in America has been in decline, at least numerical decline, for decades.
But amidst that decline there is new life. We are blessed with so much of that at Caldwell. Just last Sunday, you and our youth raised $720 to help feed the hungry in Charlotte and we welcomed three wonderful new members (see above). In your bulletin Sunday, you will receive a full report on the goings-on here.
With these and many other signs of new life in Christ, I dare say the state of your church is strong. From thriving small groups to exciting big dreams, God’s abundance is clear here. I pray that we hear that with both confidence and humility at the same time, and most of all with faith.
Part of that abundance is our opportunity to hear from a range of voices on Sundays. This Sunday, we welcome our friend Leslie Oliver to the pulpit. A pastor and student at Union Presbyterian Seminary, Leslie is a CMS teacher who also leads Sanctuary Outreach Ministries, which meets at Caldwell and serves those on the margins in our city.
Her perspective flows from the intersection of race and sexual orientation that we explore here. She is a dynamic speaker and artist so make a point to be here.
She continues our reflection in Black History Month, as we celebrate the music and other contributions of the Black diaspora in America. We began that with some hard thinking in last Sunday’s sermon. But we also claim hope in Christ for justice and reconciliation in a hurting world.
Thank you for how you make the state of the church strong every week, at the corner of Park and Fifth.
In Christ,
John