Keystone
Generated by Dall-E 2, 2023-08-15

My dear friends,

The Apostle Peter's testimony to the high priest and council in Acts 5:27-32 is a reminder that central to the Easter narrative is a story of two profound reversals of expectations, prefigured by today's Psalm:

Many during Jesus's time hoped for a Messiah who would rise with military might, leading them to victory against Roman domination. They anticipated a powerful, earthly leader. However, Jesus brought a message of love, peace, and spiritual salvation. His was a kingdom not of this world, and his weapon was love, not the sword.

Following Jesus's crucifixion, the authorities believed they had successfully quelled the threat he posed to their power and control. The cross, they thought, was the end of his influence. Yet, the resurrection shattered these expectations. The very act meant to suppress his message became the catalyst for its global propagation. The resurrection was a profound reversal, turning despair into hope, death into life.

Life often does not go as we expect. The Israelites didn’t receive the Messiah they expected, but in Jesus, they received something far greater – an eternal savior. The authorities didn’t achieve the end they sought, but in trying, they facilitated a new beginning for billions.

These lessons urge us to reconsider our worldly expectations. We must embrace life's reversals, understanding they are sometimes necessary for profound spiritual growth. For in these reversals, we are often led closer to the truth, to enlightenment, to God.

Life, in its intricate design, often presents us with unexpected challenges, tests of faith, and moments of reversal. Let us look more deeply into the Easter story's powerful narrative of expectations turned on their head, from the point of view of mainline churches, facing declining memberships and a world increasingly distant from traditional religious engagement.

Just as many in Jesus's time expected a different kind of Messiah from the one that they got, perhaps we, too, have certain expectations of what a church should be. We often cling to age-old traditions, expecting that the ways of the past can serve the present. Yet, just as Jesus came with a message that transcended worldly power structures, our churches must find new ways to embody that message in an ever-changing world.

The crucifixion seemed like a tragic end, but it paved the way for a miraculous beginning. Similarly, while declining membership in churches may seem like a setback, it could be an invitation for renewal, a chance to reevaluate, reinvent, and rejuvenate our faith communities. From our current challenges, new forms of worship, community, and service may emerge.

Numbers alone don't define spiritual depth or success. A smaller congregation can be more connected, more engaged, and more active in service. Decline in numbers might be a call for us to foster a deeper sense of community, to focus on quality over quantity, and to create intimate spaces where people truly feel the touch of the Divine.

In a digital age, we might find our "congregation" is not just within the walls of our churches but across cities, nations, and even continents, connected by the vast web of the Internet, an extension of the invisible web of interdependent causation that embraces us all. Our community might be not shrinking but shifting, transforming and expanding in ways we might not see if we only focus on local metrics.

Mainline churches, facing these reversals, are called to a spiritual and practical renewal. Let's see this not as a decline but as a transformation. Let's embrace new mediums, new methods, and new mindsets, all while holding true to the Gospel's timeless message of love, compassion and wisdom.

In this Easter season, amidst challenges and changes, may we find hope. Let us trust that God is working in mysterious ways, leading us to a profound spiritual awakening and a renewed sense of purpose.

May the peace of Christ and the wisdom of ages guide us in this journey.