News from the Sheepfold

I am sure many of you were saddened by the need to pause activities for this weekend, as I am sure that many of you were confused by the news as well. While we apologize for the vagueness of the initial email that went out, I am sure that you will understand if I say that the situation was still developing. We can share now more comfortably that in the process of seeking to care for a person connected to Christ Church some tensions developed and we were advised by authorities to pause events until we had a better handle on the situation.

I am grateful to say that we are confident that we have a much better handle on the situation and are looking forward to resuming worship on Sunday. I am grateful for a team of people that have engaged this situation with wisdom infused with the gospel. This team includes staff, church officers, along with mental health and law enforcement professionals, all of whom feel good about the steps that have been taken.

I titled this update, news from the sheepfold, as I have been reminded of this frequent scriptural metaphor for the people of God, and a metaphor apropos for the church today. We are all sheep, in different states of health, strength, etc... Jesus, of course, is our Chief Shepherd, who has appointed officers as under-shepherds of the fold (cf. 1 Pet 5). It is always a challenge, and sometimes a bit of a balancing act, to care for the all the sheep in a way that honors each of their relative strengths and weaknesses. It is also notable that frequently the shepherds are dealt with sternly for failing to shepherd faithfully (cf. Ezek 34, Jude 12), especially in the presence of threats. Please continue to pray that God would grant wisdom to all of us!

So to reiterate, we are confidently looking forward to gathering Sunday. We will be returning to 1 John 2:28 - 3:10 and looking at the call for the believer to reflect the traits of their Father as we walk out our faith enabled by the Spirit.