And often this change that we really want is to
desperately go back to when we remember what we remember as simpler or better
or easier times. We want our churches to be like they were. And of course, they
were wonderful. We want them and our
world to slow down and stop changing.
But unfortunately, staying static or spending all of our energy and
words pining for what was or what could be, really isn't the way of Jesus.
What is it Jesus says after he tells us to lose our
life? He says, if any of you wants to
serve me, then follow me, then you'll be
where I am ready to serve at a moment's
notice. Follow me, be where I am. Be
ready to go where I am going. It's a
challenge for us personally, but also collectively. We have to look for where Jesus is going and
ask if we are willing to go there too.
In January, 2020, just two months before COVID, before we knew what was coming our way, I was sitting in a room a lot like this
with Bishop Michael Curry, and he was talking to young adults in Washington,
DC, and he said something that I had never heard him say before. He said, what
people forget is that the institution of the church exists in order to serve
the movement of Jesus, not the other way around.
The institution exists to serve the movement of Jesus.
The movement of Jesus does not exist to serve the institution. I think that's a lot of what Jesus is talking
about today, especially here in the year 2024.
And I think we're being asked collectively if we are willing to lose the
church we want in order to follow Jesus to go where he is reckless in our love.
A love that has an internal impact. Are we willing to lose the church we want
in order to be the church he's calling us to be? If we were to go where Jesus is, then we have
to ask, so where is Jesus, right? Guest Preacher: Jerusalem Greer
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