Annual Report – Special Edition

A Greek guy named Heraclitus of Ephesus is famous for saying, “No man ever steps in a river twice.” That is philosophy speak for “There is nothing permanent except for change.” In our world today we not only see constant change, it feels like bigger changes come at us faster and faster. Large scale, rapid fire change can be very disruptive and stressful. Our congregation has experienced change over the past year and it is not a surprise that we are likely to see more change in the future. This can
be particularly unnerving as we often look to our faith to provide stability.

The comments of Jesus in Mark 8 help me navigate and prepare for change. In this passage, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” This question points to the source of our hope in the midst of flux. “Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus is our stability in the middle of flux. As Jesus teaches his followers about true discipleship, he asks them, “What matters most?” (Mark 8:36-37). This question gives us a foundation that defines us no matter what comes.

Disciples live and die and rise again in Jesus. This living, dying, and rising means that we face every change with hope. Followers of Jesus deny self and take up a cross for the sake of transforming ourselves and our world. This has been our mission for years and it will continue even when staff, programs, or strategies change. The state of the church today is “in flux,” but we have the hope that comes from following Jesus. This is our hope for the future no matter what changes come!

Following Jesus into the flux with hope,
Pastor Kent