“Whatever we do, it is because Christ's love controls us.”
(2 Corinthians 5:14)

It was an intense moment, one that made me uncomfortable. One of our lay leaders confronted another member for his obstinacy. I have a fairly high tolerance for confrontation, but when I confront it's with forethought and tact.

This exchange took place a few years ago across a table in a meeting room. We were planning the features of a new worship service we hoped would attract pre-Christian, unchurched people. "Bob" was in his late 30s, "Joe" his late 70s.

Bob summed up a presentation on the demographics of unchurched people in our community by concluding, "So, if we want to reach people who have no Christian background, then we'll need to offer a worship service very different in style from the one we have now, and we'll have to change some of our accustomed ways of doing things."

Joe replied emphatically, "That will never happen."

Bob asked, "What do you mean?"

Joe declared a second time, "That kind of thing is just not going to happen here."

Bob replied, "Well, I've been reading the postings on a list-serve at the Easum Bandy website. They say that if our members are unwilling to make changes for the sake of reaching unchurched people, it means they don't love Jesus enough."

Joe was startled and appeared flustered. He said quickly, almost in a whisper, "Well maybe that's right."

What an exchange! That little dialogue captures a core issue played out over several years of hassling over change and the refusal to change in our traditional 170+ year old congregation.

When a church is faced with an important decision that will affect its capacity for outreach, the outcome may well reflect the intensity of their love for Jesus. In February we observe Valentine's Day, a holiday celebrating romantic love. This may be a good time to check your love for Jesus as reflected in your willingness to show his love to others.

Let those love now who never loved before;
Let those who always loved, now love the more.
- Thomas Parnell (1679-1718)

I'll leave you with a benediction frequently used in our church: "Go now to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do. Bear witness to the love of God, so that those to whom love is a stranger may find in you generous friends!"