how should we respond?
I read far more than I write. However, every once in a while a subject or issue arises where the ability to put pen to paper or fingers to keys seems necessary and at the very least, a source of comfort. I recently exercised my right to share my thoughts and feelings on a subject found on Greg Scandrett’s blog: the view from the juniper tree. I’m a regular reader at Greg’s site. Greg’s commitment to express his thoughts and feelings on personal, philosophical, theological topic has been a great source of thought provoking subjects for readers to consider. It was his post Build Greg a new playlist, posted on March 1st that the sense to share my personal frustration was just too overwhelming. His blog was a simple request for readers to suggest music, but in a round about way it also was eulogy marking the end of an era for the Scandrett family and their service to a small church in downtown Shelton.
Blogs have a way of encouraging expression and seeking opinions and I always enjoy hearing what others have to say about a subject, but the subject of Brad’s termination at FBC struck an emotion that resulted in an immediate and emotional response from me regarding a subject that I feel has had too little public discussion. Greg’s most recent blog “Aiming our guns the right direction,” is a response to my comments, reader’s reaction to my comments and in large part the concern that he and many others have regarding the infighting that plagues the Christian church. Here Greg highlights the issue that the evil one is out to seek and destroy and that our fight is not really with each other and that a refocus on combating that subversion would be time better spent. My response was that I couldn’t agree more, but that it raises the question that I think is a frustration for many of us, which is “what then is the appropriate response for a Christian when confronted with evil here on earth?”
I won’t retype my comments in that post, but simply say that my original post of frustration and criticism was an expression of built up emotion on a subject that I have had significant investment. Having recently moved away, it has certainly provided a different sense of perspective and a freedom to express myself without the concern of “social” consequence. Leaving me to wish that I would have done more while still there, but at the time feeling that it wasn’t really my business and that prayer and personal encouragement would be sufficient. It wasn’t. And as a result you get the post I wrote on Thursday and you know I’m not alone. I am not the only person that feels this way about this situation.
Tomorrow morning or last Sunday should have been a very moving/touching opportunity for First Baptist Church to send Brad and Summer off onto their new adventure. The Church, especially the congregation, should have recognized the role that Brad played in the life of that Church and I won’t apologize for the sense of anger that burns towards the reality of the results.
The church either needs to close its doors or get a new pastor(s). Clearly the combination of the pastoral leadership and the elder board are not the combination the congregation should be relying on to carry them through a very critical period of church history, evident in the past year and a half. The suggestion that eliminating Brad will allow this Church to finally move comfortably into its future success is naive. You’ve heard the old adage, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Well going has been tough and the tough are nowhere to be found. There was a straight and narrow response required for the reaction to the fall of Greg. Instead we witnessed a winding often mushy and confusing direction for this church, all the way up to Brad’s encouraged retirement. The concrete statement explaining his termination was nowhere to be found. The result was the continued bumbling and mushy explanation of a matter that needed the highest level of attention and respect.
Why do I care so much to continue to rant on this subject? Again, the move to Santa Barbara has been a somewhat freeing experience. Tarah and I have continued to attend a church called Reality where I am finding inspiration and motivation in both worship and the preaching. The energy created by such an experience is contagious and captivating. I know this church probably has its issues that I will soon learn about, but the spirit of its congregation is something that I can only pray for for FBC. And FBC has been there, I can remember the years when FBC was on fire and you could sense the presence of the Holy Spirit. So, I know this isn’t a Shelton issue.
Something has to change, that’s all I’m saying.
