Recently, I read a statement that said this: What many church leaders are about to face is this truth: Unchurched people aren’t looking for Christendom. They’re looking for Christ. Some may ask, “What’s the difference?” To that, I would advise you to ask someone—a friend, family member, or even a stranger—who does not go to church what that means. I will not speak for them, but I believe those of us who find some comfort in the institution of Christendom need to hear this:

People are more interested in how you treat your enemies than they are in how you treat your friends. People are more interested in how you may disagree with them than how you agree with them. Why is that?

If the Cross demonstrates anything, it demonstrates the length to which institutions or people with power and influence will go when faced with contrary points of view. This is a big factor in why people are looking less and less to Christendom—the officially sanctioned, institutional voice of western Christianity—and more and more to the One who suffered for being the Voice of a different point of view. That is why Easter is so important!

I believe Easter is important because Jesus did what many an institution has not been able to do; die its way into a new life. What people on the outside tend to see is the institution (the church?) living its way into an old death—a death coming, to a large degree, from the manner in which we disagree. The pandemic-related barriers through which churches have had to navigate has only magnified those disagreements.

This Easter season has brought with it some extremely difficult decisions – decisions upon which there is not full agreement. How can we abide by Wesley’s Simple Rule #1 of “Do no harm” and still meet in a way that can be harmful to those most vulnerable? How can we fulfill Rule #2, “Do good,” but keep people from meeting in a face-to-face setting? How will we accomplish Rule #3 of “Stay in love with God” when we cannot meet for the most basic of services? All are good questions, for which there are numerous answers.

Here is where we are: We will seek to be Jesus Christ in as many ways, and through as many means, as possible. Resurrection comes through Jesus Christ! That is why we call and pray for the Innovators—those willing to stand close enough to Christendom so their voices can be heard and ready to walk with the rest of us through disagreements. Let us, like Jesus, die our way into new life this season. Here’s my email: pastor@standrewsumcdesoto.org. Let me know your thoughts. Happy Easter!