In 1989, Carla and I made a first drive to Chicago to visit a group of strangers who would become a new family for us. That church – Grace Baptist Church – would become our home for 18 years, the last seven of which I served as pastor. This special place of “sanctuary” was founded by a group of evangelical Christians inspired by a Bible study on the book of Acts. The Biblical stories of fellowship and prayers, healing, great social change and the courage for a widening circle of inclusion inspired those founders to create a community boldly welcoming of all sexual orientations and gender identities. In an era when many lost families due to estrangement, the church became a “chosen family.” Our use of Acts was central in our teaching; for many years my sermon folder on Acts was the thickest!
Grace had the feel of ministry in the face of “life and death.” I imagine this to be true of any congregation serving the intense needs for center and refuge – sanctuary – in difficult times of dislocation. This has been on my mind as I think of the strength provided by Eden for immigrant families in its early decades especially, including those traumatized or bearing the burden of relatives’ trauma as Russian welcome turned to bitter dislocation. This has been on my mind as I witness our own church and many others sort out what feels right and possible in the great challenge of Chicago’s welcome of asylum seekers.
As we celebrate Pentecost this year, I pray we will be humbled by our own inclusion in God’s great unfolding story of redemption and healing. The pattern of Jesus Christ’s ongoing work is seen in the book of Acts as we see his Holy Spirit create OUR BODY, HIS CHURCH. We see our stories in their story of community — chaos and order, guidance for boundaries and breaking of human barriers, the courage to stand out and disobey, the wisdom to defer and build relationships.
A congregant shared earnest questions with me this week — what is the place of the church, our role, in a world where so many self-named Christians are doing damaging things? What does it mean to “be church” in this day? There are no cookie cutter answers, but Acts has so many blessings for the timeless work of beloved community. I hope you’ll join us in refreshed contact with this book in coming weeks.
In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Jacki