For a variety of reasons I cannot express here in detail, my heart is heavy for you. I’m thinking here especially about you pastors and ministry staff, with whom I work most closely, but also our key lay leaders. Even with great faith in our Lord’s sovereignty over affairs of the day, the weight of shepherding God’s church through this present season is significant.

So many issues conspire to divide our people at a time when unity within the body of Christ is as important as ever.
This week Lifeway Research released a report indicating pastors’ growing concern over church conflict resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic. Christians, especially of the Baptist tribe, have often struggled to get along as we should, but COVID has unleashed a set of new battles. Do we meet? How seriously do we take social distancing? And then there’s dreaded face mask question. In the last week I’ve heard members of the same church describe those who wear masks as wimps and those who do not as inconsiderate, “not caring if I live or die.”

And tension from the pandemic spreads into other matters, magnifying their pressure. Our healthiest churches are nearing the time when they normally would have their plans, strategic shifts, budgets, and events all lined out for 2021. But the uncertainly about how long social distancing, gathering, and travel restrictions will remain complicates this.

Now, I’m of the opinion that if it wasn’t COVID 19, it would be something else. After all, the Lord who called us wants to display His glory, not our strategic brilliance (1 Peter 4:10-11). And there’s a reason Peter describes our adversary as a “roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5:8). God intends that your walk with Him would require faith, genuine trust in His hand upon you. You know this.

Know also, then, that I pray for you, that you would experience His hand upon you… that you would possess His wisdom to shepherd His church and your families… that you would see His provision for ministry and missions… and that you preachers would boldly proclaim God’s word. And, if I may borrow a prayer from the apostle Paul, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 15:5-6).

Blessings!

Bro. Jim

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