Pastoral Thoughts

Christ is Risen!
He is Risen, Indeed!
Alleluia!

Grace and Peace be to you from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Years ago, I attended an evangelism workshop where the presenter addressed how a particular sanctuary should appear to attract new people to the church.  “The first thing you must do is eliminate all the symbols in and around your church. No crosses or fish symbols because new people to the faith do not know what they mean, people who left the church because of the traditional structures will only see them negatively, and they will only become a distraction.” Some at the conference debated whether or not there could be education opportunities rather than removing these important symbols of the church. I discussed another aspect: historical symbols and crosses were positive in our current fields of evangelism to the church as some search for these symbols, especially during critical times in their lives.

My case in point was a wedding I presided over for non-members who later joined the church. The couple was attending a very large independent congregation in that area.  “But we don’t want to get married there,” the bride suggested.  “Why?” I asked.  “Well, we decided that when we got married, we wanted to marry in a more traditional setting like our parents, with crosses and altars. We want to get married in a place that looks like a church.” They realized they wanted to search for a place where they felt comfortable and connected to people there and were a part of worshipping that reminded them of their family's worship traditions. They became members, had three children, and became very active in the church. One point is that evangelism involves conversation. People coming and joining a church requires conversation.

As a society, we often underestimate the power of tradition and symbols. However, the crosses, candles, altars, and banners in our churches are not mere decorations. They are powerful tools for spiritual growth, guiding us in our journey of faith. I invite you to pause during your next church visit and take a closer look at these symbols. Reflect on their meanings and how they are intertwined with your faith and traditions. Pray on these symbols and their significance to our faith. And don't hesitate to engage in conversations with me and others about their history and spiritual meaning. You might be surprised by the insights and connections you discover.

I learned through that workshop that we do not need to take away our symbols. Their approach in their unimportance gave me an opposite opinion, with me seeing the value in them more than what the presenters discussed. They are still relevant to our faith today. They can strengthen our resolve and faith in the One who has died so we may have everlasting life, Jesus Christ. These symbols can be tools and talking points to talk to people who need to know the Lord in a world where we see symbols that display fear and hatred. These old symbols can revitalize our faith and start a new beginning in our life with Christ. One of the most powerful ones is seeing a bare cross, as our savior was raised from death, the cross from whom we adore whose life, death, and resurrection have given God’s presence in our lives forever. These old symbols help us see our new life in Christ Jesus. They have the power to transform our lives and bring us closer to God.

What could be the new beginning in your life today? It may be a renewed commitment to prayer and meditation. Or it's a courageous step to reach out to those who have not been kind to us, guided by the knowledge of our risen Lord. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have bestowed upon us a new life. Let us celebrate this and invite the world to experience the Love of God. And in our storytelling, let us not forget the power of symbols. They can be great resources, helping us convey the profound truths of our faith. They are not just symbols; they are tools in our hands that empower us to share the love and grace of God with others.

Christ is Risen!
He is Risen, Indeed!
Alleluia!

Blessed Easter,
Pastor Brian