Dear Church,

I am writing this from The Village Apothecary, a coffee shop in downtown Farmington. Here friends gather for coffee and conversation set to the soundtrack of beans grinding and milk steaming. Often on my study day I work from another little shop, but I arrived there this morning to find a sign on the door that read: “Closed, No Power.” I couldn’t help but wonder how many churches have closed their doors for the very same reason.

Gustav Mahler, a composer during the Romantic period, is rumored to have said, “Tradition is not the worship of ashes but the preservation of fire.” Our local church has only been around since 1984, but that is still old enough to have a traditional way of doing ministry. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as we realize that the Holy Spirit is no respecter of our traditions. Our attention should never be on our way but on the Spirit of the One who is the way.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…(Acts 1:8a)

 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power…(2 Timothy 1:7a)

 

My message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power…(1 Corinthians 2:4)

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope…(Romans 15:13)

Keeping the lights on is about way more than bulbs and budgets. It’s about moving with the Spirit of Christ as He stokes the fires of faith, hope, and love in us. Burn brightly this week, Church.

Nudge,

Kyle Chase, on Behalf of the Elder and Minister Team