Entering Scripture

Things look different and in some ways better on a number of fronts for Melissa. Her appetite is getting better. After three months with stomach problems, that is good! Her hair is coming back. She has more energy. But some days are still hard.

And then, we have scans beginning of next month. There's a lot of anxiety about that-- what will they show? Cancer still gone?

Just before the bone marrow transplant, the cancer had spread to a lot of places. Some you knew only because the scan said so, others because she could feel them. I was too chicken for her to show me.

One of the places was in her back, and it caused almost unbearable pain. Psalm 38, a Psalm of confession, says, "My back is filled with searing pain" (verse 7). Even though the Psalm is about confession, about coming to God when our sin gets the best of us, there is something important about the honesty of the Psalms, how they confront and express EVERYTHING. Nothing is hidden. And so, in God's word we find not simply comfort or help, but also solidarity.

Curtis, Ruben, and I have had some opportunities to talk about what The Rock La Roca is up to-- to pastors in the ordination process and also to a church planting class at Asbury Seminary. I didn't really have much to say about church planting because I am new here. I focused instead on what looks to be something vital for the future of churches in America: ministry in a multi-cultural environment.

But, the thing that interested me most was a comment Ron Crandall, the seminary professor, made after our presentation-- in Acts chapter 6, the early church deals with a multicultural issue: Greek Jews feel their widows are ignored in food distribution, while Hebraic Jews get preferential treatment. I had not looked at it as a cultural issue. I was always intrigued by the outcome: the apostles appoint some fellows (notably Stephen and Philip) to make sure no one is short-changed. the fascinating part to me is that you never see Philip or Stephen handing out bread: they are evangelizing!

So, after Dr. Crandall's comment, I began to wonder: is there a natural outcome in the church when it seriosuly tries to draw different cultures together such that the people involved in ministry simply share their faith in Jesus? Is that why it is possible to have about 15 people sharing the Good News in our neighborhood? Or to get 30 people on a prayer walk?

A seminary student asked me if there was anything I felt called to that kept failing but I stuck with it anyway? I laughed and said, "Yeah, evangelism!" I have been trying for 6 years to get large groups (i.e., not 2 or 3) to go out into their neighborhoods and form relationships and invite people to church. Why is it happening here and not in other places? Perhaps because of the natural outworking of the Spirit in our lives? We have welcomed all kinds of people-- multi-cultural means more than Hispanic; it encompasses issues not only of race, but also socio-economic, education and other things that separate us.

Most churches are homogenous. That is, they are not only white or black, they are white or black within other parameters. As Norbert said on the prayer walk, it is natural for people to stay with people like them. But when the Holy Spirit comes, all peoples can come together without the hindrances we have thrown up.

So, since we have welcomed all kinds of people (and it is important to note, no one batted an eye when 20 Congolese showed up), maybe it's only natural that we talk about it, invite people. We know the Lord is doing something with us.

p/g