A Note From Pastor Craig

It’s already been said a thousand times but I’ll say it again - these are crazy days.

The days are crazy because fear is as pandemic as the virus itself. And like the virus – the fear is spreading - quickly. If we’re not afraid that COVID will overrun us, we’re afraid the government will. Pick your poison - we’re afraid. One of the things that will help dispel that fear is to take a sabbatical from social media and gather with other believers for the purpose of worshiping the One who holds all things - our gracious and good God (Colossians 1:17). That’s why I am absolutely giddy for this Sunday’s on campus gathering at 8:30am in the courtyard. For more information regarding that gathering, please see our website here.

As enthusiastic as I am for Sunday to come, it does not negate the fact that the Bride of Christ is in a time of crisis. Ironically, it’s not because of COVID or our Governor but rather, it’s because of us. It appears that we, the Church, are the ones creating the crisis and thus spreading fear.

Here is what I mean: Recently, I have received well over a dozen links to a letter put out by John MacArthur on behalf of the church he has faithfully pastored for five decades - Grace Community Church. You can read the letter here. Dr. MacArthur has been a key influencer in my life during my 40 years of ministry. I thank God for him and I truly believe he has done significant good for the Church. This is NOT one of those times. In case you haven’t read the document, the Elders of Grace Community Church (led by Dr. MacArthur) published a letter indicating that they, “cannot and will not acquiesce to a government-imposed moratorium on [their] weekly congregational worship...gatherings.” To no one’s surprise, Dr. MacArthur does an excellent job in using Scripture to back up his assertions. However, the conclusions he states can lead the casual reader to go down a path that leads to divisiveness within the Body.

First, the phrase “government-imposed moratorium” is misleading. The Governor has not outlawed, prevented or forbidden congregations to gather. He has merely asked us to gather outdoors in unlimited numbers with appropriate social distancing. Please know that I’m not a huge fan of Governor Newsom. That said, there is zero indication, at this point, that he is trying to persecute Christians. That is almost always a leap that Christians foolishly make when there is a politician in office they don’t like. There is every indication that the Governor is merely trying to preserve lives. Do I wish he would go about it a different way? Yes, but that’s why he’s the Governor and I’m not.

Second, in my opinion, Grace Community is wasting a moment of civil disobedience on something that doesn’t have to be considered civil disobedience. Just because the government wants the church to do something the church may not want to do doesn’t mean the church is being persecuted. There will come a day when civil disobedience will need to be exercised. This is not the day. On the day the government announces that COVID is over and everything can now re-open – except churches – on that day you will get a different email from me. Until then, do we really want to deliberately place ourselves in opposition to a government that doesn’t appear to be opposing us (at least when it comes to the virus)?

Third, and the thing that brings me the greatest frustration, is that the letter insinuates that if we don’t do it Dr. MacArthur’s way, then we are in disobedience to Scripture. The letter states…

“In fact, pastors who cede their Christ-delegated authority in the church to a civil ruler have abdicated their responsibility before their Lord and violated the God-ordained spheres of authority as much as the secular official who illegitimately imposes his authority upon the church.”

If Dr. MacArthur wants to think COVID is a big hoax or a conspiracy by the government to gain more power, great! Bully for him. He has every right to that opinion. But when it is insinuated that any pastor who doesn’t agree with him is succumbing to the government and acquiescing their role as shepherd of God’s flock, Dr. MacArthur is assuming an authority he doesn’t have. The letter continues…

“Our prayer is that every faithful congregation will stand with us in obedience to our Lord as Christians have done through the centuries.”

This, again, only leads to the conclusion that if we do not join with Grace Community Church then we are in disobedience to God. To be clear, the determining factor of Arcade’s faithfulness to God’s Word is not decided by John MacArthur.

Brothers and sisters, I fervently pray you can sense my heart and passion regarding this issue. That is why, as your shepherd, I wanted to communicate directly with you. I do not enjoy coming against a man I have deeply respected over the years. But since many Arcadians have sent me links and many others have posted the letter on social media, I felt compelled to respond. This kind of stuff from a person of influence, like Dr. MacArthur, creates crisis, elevates fear and pits faithful Christians against equally faithful Christians. The Church of Jesus Christ does not need this. Our culture does not need this. If Dr. MacArthur wants to gather - fine. I truly pray God blesses him and his fellowship and keeps them all healthy, both physically and spiritually. Here at Arcade, our Elders and I have chosen a different direction. One we believe looks more like loving compliance to our neighbors as well as care for the folks of Arcade. We do not believe Dr. MacArthur’s fellowship is sinning in their action to gather indoors. Nor are we, in our action to gather outdoors.

So let me end with these words as your pastor of nearly 10 years. First off, please stop posting divisive statements on social media. Just stop it. Such things are not indicative of the kind of fruit Jesus would produce (Galatians 5:22,23) if he had access to social media. You all know as well as I, that as the presidential election draws near, the slander, vitriol, rumormongering and accusations are going to fly on every social media platform. May it not be from those who have been loved by God through Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:2). May we shock the world with messages of hope and assurance that Jesus is the one who reigns – regardless of who wins the election (Isaiah 40:21-24). May we keep the main thing the main thing (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). ALWAYS! No matter what!

Second, if you have learned anything about me during this time, you know that I hold the authority of Scripture as my ultimate authority. I, nor the Elders, will ever lead Arcade in a way that violates this commitment to Scripture nor will we allow anyone to take the place of the one true Shepherd – Jesus. Jesus is the One your Elders and I look to regarding decisions and direction for Arcade Church. We pray, we agonize, we discuss, we even argue and then we pray some more – that God would grant us wisdom from above (James 1:5). For your good and His Glory.

I love you. I pray for you and I can’t think of another group of people I want to follow Jesus with more than the brothers and sisters of Arcade Church.

Fear not! Jesus is King – LIVE!

Craig

Advent: HOPE

Author: Beth Whitney - Assistant to Lead Pastor

This Thanksgiving, our middle daughter was able to come home from college for a visit. We were so excited. But we didn’t just sit and wait for her to come. We didn’t spend hours gazing out the window, watching for her (But we did ask for regular updates!). We put clean sheets on her bed, vacuumed her room, and bought her favorite foods. We prepared for her to come, with hopeful anticipation.

As we look forward to and prepare for the advent season, we wait. But there’s tension in the waiting. We don’t wait as those who looked for the first coming of the Messiah. No, we are caught between the Messiah has come and the Messiah will come.

“Advent reminds us that, in our own brokenness, and in the broken world we live in, we have hope.”

But why aren’t we satisfied that He came? Why are we still looking for him to come again? 

Maybe it’s this: In his first coming, Jesus, our Messiah, defeated sin and death. But we still suffer in our broken world. Look around, it only takes a moment to see brokenness. Broken hearts, broken minds, broken bodies. 

If we allow ourselves, the brokenness becomes our sole focus. We become depressed, or we try to fix it, or maybe we just throw up our hands in defeat. But - advent.

Advent interrupts our daily rhythms -- forces us to pause and refocus. There are so many ways to be distracted this month - yes, by brokenness, but also by busy-ness. Advent is a simple way to keep the main thing the main thing in the middle of everything. It reminds us that, in our own brokenness, and in the broken world we live in - we have hope!

Let me say that a different way: We have the only. true. hope!

Emmanuel - God with us - has come! Advent isn’t an impatient waiting, but a waiting where we can prepare our own hearts. And in that reminder of hope for us comes the anticipation of hope for others. Let’s spend this season focused on the hope that is only found in Jesus. Let’s spread that hope to others! What would your December look like if you were firmly rooted in the hope of Jesus - looking back at his birth, and looking forward to his coming again?

God Wins!

The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

-Psalm 103:19

Our God is in heaven he does all that he pleases.

-Psalm 115:3

It is [God] who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them like a tent to dwell.  Who brings princes to nothing and the rulers of the earth are as emptiness.

-Isaiah 40:22,23

Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country.  I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do.

-Isaiah 46:8-11

...all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’

-Daniel 4:35

For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever. Amen.

-Romans 11:36

True confession:  Whenever I read an article or blog that begins with several Bible passages, I skip over them and get to the content of the actual article. That little revelatory tidbit isn’t something I’m necessarily proud of, but I mention it only because you may do the same thing.

In which case...please don’t.  Take a moment and thoughtfully read through the above passages.  I promise you, the words above these first two paragraphs are far more important than the words below.

I’ll wait...

News flash to no one - it’s election time. Tis’ the season for nice people to turn into not-so-nice people.  For quiet people to turn into noisy people. For even-tempered people to turn into outraged people. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you hail from, I think we can all agree - election time can bring out the worst in the best of us.    

“May these turbulent times serve as a catalyst to bring out the conspicuous qualities of Christ in us.  For that to happen we need to calm down. “

May it not be for the followers of Christ.  May these turbulent times serve as a catalyst to bring out the conspicuous qualities of Christ in us.  For that to happen we need to calm down.

Around every election cycle, serious damage is done to our Christian witness because we wind up deep in the weeds of either encouraging those who are from our political tribe to press on - or -  rage against those not of our tribe to shut up.   Try as we may to blame the opposing news agency, social media or sunspots, the truth is, we bring it on ourselves.  We fill the social and political pipeline with the same kind of sewage we despise. Let’s face it when one of us Christians goes off on social media about whatever ticks us off - no non-christian is going to respond with, “Gee, what a loving Christian!  I think I’ll become one.”

“…in the midst of that trust, we remember what he has called us to do. Love God. Love our neighbor.”

That’s why the above passages are so integral to our time and, yes, even to our own souls.  Nowhere and at no time has our God ever said, “Wow, didn’t see that coming.” Whatever happens, this Tuesday will be because a Holy and Sovereign God has deemed it to be so.  True. He’s not the kind of God who is going to “run it by us” before he acts. We as his happy servants, therefore, must make the deliberate choice to trust him. And in the midst of that trust, we remember what he has called us to do. Love God. Love our neighbor. Pretty simple marching orders and ones that will be a bucket of cold water over the head of a culture overheated with rage.   

With all the spouting, promising, accusing, finger-pointing, pontificating, speculating and whatever else happens this Tuesday, the ultimate conclusion is this:

God wins!

Rest.

I think I’ll read the above passages again.  You?

Come Home

            Author:  Megan Fera, Teaching Leader, Ezra Women's Conference

"Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites – everyone whose heart God had moved – prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings. Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god.”            Ezra 1:5-7

When you were little, how did your parents call you home? I can still remember the sound of my mom’s voice across the yard when it was time to stop playing. When I was a teenager, my dad could bring me home just by setting a curfew. But when I entered my 20’s, their voices suddenly sounded muffled. New relationships, new ideas and new forms of sin made home seem like a foreign place. I got myself into some trouble then, and my dad’s call carried a form of pleading.

“Megan, what is going on?” he asked once, when I’d failed out of college and traveled across the country alone, “Honey, just come home.”

But I didn’t want to go home. I wanted to see what Megan could do and who Megan could be. I got a job as a secretary and moved to Switzerland. By then, my dad’s voice became more resigned: “You’ll be alright, honey. Just stick it out.”

That winter, walking beside quiet Lake Geneva and riding around in late-night cabs, I began to wonder about God. And God began to answer. Once, a stranger offered me a car ride and asked piercing questions about Jesus.  A few nights later, a light fixture shattered over my head and sent me, trembling, for my high school Bible. Over the course of months, a new friend shared hours of grace-filled conversation about her own need of forgiveness. I began to see God’s hand in my life and believed what I read in His word. I went home to seek Him in earnest.

That’s the story of my return to God, and it’s the story of Ezra, too. Ezra is the story of a people determined to ignore their Father’s call, until He sends them away to a foreign place. But exile is good for them: after a time, they are ready to love Him again. God moves the hearts of His people, yes, but also their circumstances - overcoming every enemy, providing every necessity, and forgiving ever abundantly so they can worship Him through eternity. That is God’s vision for His people, then and now. Will you let Him move you? He will do whatever it takes to bring you home.

“The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way. So we arrived in Jerusalem, where we rested…”             Ezra 8:32.

Join us for the EZRA Women's Conference on Nov 2-3

We're Image Bearers Together

Author: Beth Whitney - Assistant to Lead Pastor

#MeToo

Unless you live under a rock, you’re aware of this movement. Whether you agree with it or not, it has brought awareness to how many women face sexual harassment, assault, and in the worst cases, rape. 

But more recently, the mistreatment of women in the evangelical world has bubbled to the surface. We’ve read how women are wrongly counseled in abusive marriages, and about the objectification and marginalization of women in ministry - by their brothers in Christ. 

There have been several open letters, some with the ability to add your name to the list of signees. As I’ve read and followed along, I had the strong desire to write this letter. So here it is.

An Open Letter to Arcadians:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I write this letter from a place of joy and gratitude.  Serving in ministry at Arcade Church is a gift. As a member of the staff, who happens to be a woman, I want to give you a peek into what that’s like. 

First of all, at Arcade Church, the gospel is elevated and much is made of Christ. Part of the way this happens is women are treated as fellow image bearers. Women are not marginalized, dismissed, sexualized, or objectified.

If you’ve ever worked in a place where harassment or assault is just a part of the job, you know the emotions that come when you drive into the parking lot. Dread. Fear. Frustration. You think to yourself, “what is going to happen today?”, and gear up for the dreaded interactions. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to come to work daily, and those thoughts and emotions are the furthest thing from my mind. I don’t ever feel the need to be on guard. As a woman, I am aware of my vulnerability, and that is never exploited or taken advantage of. The men watch over the women on staff like a big brother would protect his sister. There has never been a #MeToo moment for me in the hallways of Arcade. For that, I am so thankful.

Look around...think back...anything of significance in recent years at Arcade has women’s fingerprints all over it. This is because women on staff are not told to stay in their lane or just do their job. It’s quite the opposite. Spiritual, personal, and vocational flourishing is strongly encouraged. Women (but also men) are championed to grow, create, learn, develop - even if it means they grow out of their current role. The leadership cultivates an environment where all staff are motivated to keep pushing and growing until capacity is reached...and then reach some more!

The pastors and other male staff are humble. I can think back to several times when an apology was extended, a plea for forgiveness when an offense was perceived. 

Like I said at the beginning - being on staff at Arcade Church is truly a privilege. I’m afraid this letter is not enough to communicate that clearly. If I were to sum up this entire note in one sentence, it would be this: Among the staff at Arcade Church, there is mutual respect, Christ-like love, and compassion within the relationships between men and women, brothers and sisters, working together on mission. 

What is that mission? 

Say it with me: to get as many people as possible to hear, see and follow Jesus.

Love in Christ,

Beth Whitney
Assistant to Lead Pastor

The Stubborn Gospel

Author: Craig Hardinger

For I delivered to you as of first importance…that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures… -1 Corinthians 15:3,4

Christians are a stubborn people.  Not exactly fake news to pretty much everyone.   There is a dogmatic quality to the Christian faith that makes us look unfriendly, maybe even conceited to the non-Christian world.  This is due in large part to our uncompromising conviction that Jesus is physically alive after physically dying.  Feel bad as we may for how we are perceived, there are just some things that are non-negotiable in the Christian faith. And as we all know, we live in a culture where certainty about anything is deemed the unforgivable sin.

For example:  The Christians I know (myself included) refuse to be lumped in with the other religious belief systems in the world.  In fact, most of us would go so far as to say that Christianity isn’t a religion at all.  Such isolated conviction no doubt feeds the perception mentioned above.  

So why is that? Why the claims of exclusivity?   

The reason that Christianity is so distinct from other belief systems doesn’t really have anything to do with the teachings of Jesus – or even the death of Jesus.  That may be a shocker to you, but it’s true.  The founders of the major world religions, Buddha, Mohammed, and Moses, all emphasized moralistic teaching, bid their followers to adhere to that teaching, and then died.    Nothing out of the ordinary there. The followers of those religions have no problem with their founders dying. What makes Christianity so different has to do with a very simple moment in time  – whether that moment was a minute or a nanosecond – what happened had never happened before and has never happened since. Someone rose from the dead, never to die again.

Yep!  There it is!

Because of that moment in time - the moment when Jesus rose from the grave - everything changed.  Everything!  History changed.  Lives changed.  The world changed.  Governments changed.  Sunday changed.  Faith changed.  Satan changed.  Guilt and shame changed.  Homes changed. Relationships changed.  The look of sin changed - all because of a single moment when someone dead suddenly wasn’t anymore.

That is why being a Christian is so different from other belief systems.  To be a Christian means placing faith and trust, not in the teachings of Jesus – but in the actions of Jesus – his death and resurrection.   It is the stubborn conviction that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave that then compels us to follow his teaching.

Can that kind of conviction make Christians look off-putting and a tad overly confident?  I suppose.  Like all people who are sure about the truth of something, we can, no doubt, look overbearing and arrogant.  

Maybe, just maybe, that’s not it at all.  Maybe we’re just stubborn.

Like our good friend Paul said:

But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.  -2 Timothy 1:12

Why Community Groups Are Vital to The Church

Author: John Cassidy

There was a time when I used to be skeptical about Community Group or a Small Group settings. I thought it was a bit too touchy-feely, and it provided more fuel for the rumor mill instead of fostering true discipleship. Perhaps you have had these feelings too. In this post, I hope to share a little of what I have been learning about Community Groups over the last 6 years and why they are so valuable at Arcade Church.

Here’s why Community groups are important:

Community Groups foster close relationships. 
The Community Group atmosphere is ready-made for building friendships. We cannot promise deep relationships, but we can create atmospheres to meet new people. As a rule, people talk more in small groups. People are quick to recognize needs and help to meet them. The relationships started within Community Groups construct a strong fabric within Arcade. The relationships that are formed outside the walls of the church building are relationships that tend to endure and strengthen over time.

Community Groups provide a comfortable introduction for nonbelievers to the Christian faith. 
I’m skeptical that “inviting people to church” is the best means of evangelism. Don’t get me wrong it is great to invite others to church, but inviting someone to Community Group might be better. Most of us tend to fear forming relationships too quickly, especially when it involves sharing our faith with someone. That is a natural and understandable fear. Inviting someone to a Community Group provides a way to involve a nonbeliever directly into a community of believers—watching them live out their faith, listening to them pray, hearing them share God’s work in their life, and learning more about the Bible. The nonbeliever is more likely to ask questions, get answers, and form relationships with the believers. Community Groups are a powerful missional tool. They allow for the greater spread of the gospel among nonbelievers in Sacramento.

Community Groups provide an ideal way to care for the needs of people within the church. 
When one believer in a Community Group is struggling financially, emotionally, spiritually, socially, etc., it is much easier for the members of the group to notice and provide help. The structure of a Community Group is essentially a community of believing friends. Friends should help one another, especially Christian friends.

Community Groups provide a way for Christians to live out their faith instead of merely hearing more preaching or teaching. 
If Sunday morning is for listening, then the rest of the week is for living. Whether it’s discussing the Sunday sermon, talking about a spiritual battle, or simply praying for one another, Community Groups create a context for Christians to live out their faith in real life.

Community Groups participate in focused prayer for one another. 
Prayer cannot be overrated, but it is often under-practiced. Community Groups offer an environment for members to pray with and for one another. I am grateful to know that my group prays for me during the week. Community Groups at Arcade can make for great prayer meetings.

Community Groups allow for mutual edification among believers. 
It’s easy to depend on the professionals to give us our spiritual food. According to the Bible, God gives spiritual gifts to all believers. The gifts God has given you are for the benefit of the whole church. Every Christian should minister to other Christians with his or her gifts. This happens most naturally, effectively, and purposefully in Community Groups. Plus, we start to realize that other believers face the same problems we do. Edification is at work.

Community Groups encourage better learning. 
Listening to a sermon is a great way to learn the Word, but it is easy to become detached or daydream during a sermon. We become passive listeners. Not so in a Community Group. When a few people are together, every individual is expected to be involved and to participate. This active involvement is an effective way to learn Scripture.

Community Groups help to cultivate leadership within the church. 
Someone has to lead a Community Group or facilitate the discussion. Arcade needs leaders other than the pastors and elders. Thus, Community Groups give opportunities for leadership development at Arcade.

Are you in a Community Group? If not, I want to encourage you to talk to someone at Connection Point Central this Sunday to help you find the best group for you or you can sign up online today!

Shepherds! Your Lambs Are Dying!

Author: Craig Hardinger

[An open letter to Christian leaders]

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more
  -Revelation 21:4

I love that line.

Wiping away tears is the ultimate result of Jesus making all things new (Revelation 21:5).

It was also the basic action of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  Think about it.  Every miracle he performed was with the intent to show he had the power to wipe away tears.

It seems to me that his church should be engaged in the same kind of ministry – wiping tears.

One of the joys I have as a pastor is to partner with Arcade brothers and sisters in Christ who aggressively seek viable solutions to issues that fall under the umbrella of social justice. Racism, poverty, sex-trafficking and any form of marginalization or social evil work as tear-creators.  It is our mission as followers of Jesus to be his tear-wipers.  

The ministry of tear-wiping is seen more and more in the church today as Christians are, in Jesus-like manner, rolling up their sleeves and engaging in many forms of social justice.  The smile of our heavenly Father is upon such people as they wade knee deep in the muck and mire of poverty, hunger, racial reconciliation, immigration and the like.

However, there is a glaring omission in the short list above - abortion.

Just as there is an increase of pastors and leaders engaged in the social justice of the living, there appears to be a corresponding decrease of leaders who are engaged in the social justice of the dying.

It begs the question, “Why?”

Why is it that pastors/leaders, in one sense, have placed themselves on the front lines of many social justice battles only to go AWOL in others?

I’ve asked around and below are a few responses on why leaders have abandoned or softened their stance in regards to abortion.
 

• Lightning rod president.

As of today, the president has positioned himself as being pro-life. Because his popularity has drastically diminished, many wish to distance themselves from anything that he endorses. I get it, but here’s the thing:  the president didn’t launch the pro-life movement nor should he be the sole voice in support of it.  At the risk of sounding snippy – get over it.

 Americans! Your lambs are dying!
 

• It’s not pro-life. It’s pro-birth.

This is usually stated in the form of an accusation and is based on the assumption that pro-life advocates are only concerned with the birth of the baby and not the life of the child after birth.  The accusation further asserts that many aborted babies would have lived in abject poverty and oppression.  It is, therefore, a “kindness” to abort them in order to avoid certain suffering in life.   I find it hard to believe that a societal problem can ever be solved by killing members of that society.   Crazy idea:  Let the babies live!

 Leaders! Your lambs are dying!
 

• Bigger issues.  More attention.

Existing issues like racism, poverty or immigration are seen as more immediate and therefore more crucial. At the risk of unintentionally minimizing the above issues, are you kidding me?  Leader!  Lead!  I am not asking you to neglect the causes that face our society.  Speak loudly and often about the injustices facing the people in your community.  People are crying and you have been placed strategically by a sovereign God to wipe away tears.  I am asking you to stand for social justice involving all citizens – especially the weak and powerless.  You can’t get any more weak and powerless than the unborn.

Community leaders! Your lambs are dying!
 

• The pro-life cause is not trending.

I don’t even know what to say about this one.  Moving on.

Millennials! Your lambs are dying!
 

• The pain of guilt.

It is so true – talking about the evils of abortion can pile burden upon burden of guilt on any woman who has had an abortion and the connected families affected.  Insensitive preaching/teaching can add tears, not wipe them away.  No pastor who loves his flock wants to do that.  In such moments when the tears of guilt flow, the gospel of mercy, grace and forgiveness must shine.

Preachers! Your lambs are dying!
 

• The sanctity of ALL human life.

This is a subtle way for leaders to exit the conversation/debate about abortion. A typical statement might be, “Rather than focus on one group of marginalized people, every life  matters.”  Great!  Bully for you!  Should we not start with those in our community who have zero voice and are, while alive, being dismembered, scalded or left to expire - alone on a table? Seriously?

Christ followers! Your lambs are dying!
 

• Pro-choice and in the closet.

I think we would all be surprised at how many pastors and Christian leaders are silent advocates of the pro-choice movement.  If that’s you – do us all a favor – quit.  Sell insurance.  Sell cars.  Shoot! Sell essential oils.  Don’t preach.

Shepherds! Your lambs are dying!
 

Fellow followers of Christ, we’re not picking out carpet color here nor debating the sequence of events surrounding the end times.  If our ministry on this planet is one of tear-wiping,  the issue of abortion and the many lives affected by each abortion (60 million and counting) must be at the front of nearly every discussion regarding social justice.  And yet the steam of the movement has been lost to the point where there is barely a mention from many Christian leaders.

Is not our mission to provide a taste of what heaven will be?  Is it not to engage in those issues that drew Jesus’ attention? We must identify all of them, call them what they are, shine a light in the darkness – all the while wiping tears. The tears of the unborn.  The tears of young women who believed the lie that somehow their life would be better because of an abortion. The tears of entire communities/neighborhoods decimated by strategically-placed abortion clinics.[1]  The tears of would-be grandparents. The tears of couples waiting to adopt, longing for that child.

What am I suggesting we do?  To be honest – I don’t think I do enough.  But in truth, anything is better than nothing. 

HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS

• Preach the gospel of life often
• Encourage and embrace foster care and adoption
• Church leaders: train and prepare teachers, child-care workers, ushers and greeters to specifically welcome children with disabilities whose parents chose life.
• Strategically mention the pro-life cause throughout the year
• Support Alternatives Pregnancy Center or other pro-life ministries
• Social Media carries weight.  Post!

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
  -Isaiah 40:11
 

[1] http://studentsforlife.org/planned-parenthood-and-racism/