From the Pastor
The Prophetic Community
Have you noticed the shift in the society? Can you feel the tension in the times? Do you hear the voices that question every authority and see conspiracy behind every event?
We’re living in fearful times; living at light speed. Change is no longer something to look forward to, but happens at such a constant rate that we are breathless even before our morning coffee. It’s no wonder that people are on edge, fearful, and questioning everything.
Such times are not new in history. We seem to go through them when humanity presses the boundaries of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Like an accident we foresee, we feel helpless to prevent the carnage of what is to come. The great product of such times is not just fear, but the horrible disease of ‘indifference’ and a lack of desire to care, value, or hope. But, as these times come to haunt the pages of history, God provides an answer. He gives us prophets.
Prophets tell the truth. They expose the corruptions of the times, lay open the false fronts of image and title that often keep power among the few and keep the majority in bondage. Prophets remind us that humanity is not the final authority of the universe, God is.
Prophets give us something more. They remind us that people of faith are always the ones who rebuild what has been torn down. Prophets remind us that hope will have its day. In the end hope wins.
As an individual can be a prophet, faith-communities can be prophetic, but all too often churches stop before completing the job. Sometimes churches can be really good at pointing out the bad we see around us, but stop short of actually fulfilling the other half of the prophetic job description: being agents of hope in fearful times. This means we are called to act as well as speak, tear down the evil of the times as well as construct new good ideas, and never, ever stop proclaiming the death and resurrection of Jesus as the model for renewal in the life of the world.
First Lutheran and our partners in the Bonfire coalition are answering the call to become a prophetic community. We are choosing to respond to the times rather than run from them. We are answering the common problems we share with innovation rather than accusation. And, we believe that God’s future is creating a new present in our words and our actions.
We are made bold by his grace.
Pastor Dave
Prophets remind us that hope will have its day.
Worship
Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School
Held during the 9:30 a.m. worship service.
Kid’s Church
The first Sunday of each month
(no Sunday school).
Children stay with their parents
through the children’s message.
First Lutheran Church of Crystal
7708 - 62nd Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
(763) 537-4576 (phone)
(763) 537-0372 (fax)
