Today we see again that the Word of God is not acceptable, and we have opportunity to pray for those who suffer. While this is not physical suffering, the devil can make emotional suffering every bit as painful. And, as in the case of the Apostles, the suffering is being caused by those who are supposed to be the religious leaders.
A 5:00 am e-mail informed Pr. Kind that the church where he serves is to be sold out from under him and his members by the district. This is the churchly equivalent of divorcing your wife via text message.
On a day like today, we pray for Pr. Kind and the members of University Lutheran Chapel. And we remember the example of the apostles (Read the whole thing HERE):
And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
…and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Bulldozing vibrant churches to build apartment complexes was the way of the Atheists during the time of Lenin and Stalin. It may be a “Missional” idea, but it is certainly not the churches mission that is being advanced. So whose is being advanced? ” You might even be found opposing God!”
Today we know that, through the sorrow and pain, Pr. Kind joins the apostles in “rejoicing that they have been counted worthy of suffering for the name.” Pr. Kind, you and your flock are in our prayers.
Musings of a Circuit Riding Parson 