A Trip of Sadness ends in Hope and Challenge
This past weekend we made a trip to Lynchburg Virginia to the Tharp Funeral Home to attend the Wake of our Uncle John W. Havens. He passed to a new life on Friday, February 7, 2014 after 92 years. The obituary online provided by the Funeral Home shares a brief summary of a dedicated life of service to his family, his Country, and his Christian Faith Communities. The survivors in his immediate family were his only son John T. Havens, his wife Diane, and their son Ian. Our Aunt Evelyn Pisani Havens died a few years earlier, a victim of Alzheimer's who was cared for by Uncle John in their home until her passing.
Of course this was a sad time for us after experiencing the many years of love and generosity of these two wonderful people. John, Diane, and Ian had to come down from Wycoff New Jersey midst several tremendous winter storms of several feet of snow while we drove north from Cary North Caroline through similar but much milder conditions. Most family members will make such trips regardless of their personal obligations and schedule. Because "we do not sorrow as those who have no hope" we gave thanks for their lives with us for over 90 years and rejoice that they have "passed from death to life eternal".
The next painful sadness came as we traveled to and from, passing literally hundreds of churches we saw along the roadsides. They all had buildings, some rather small and many quite large, but so many of them in towns and cities were within walking distance from each other. As a retired couple who served in churches most of our lives (I am a retired Episcopal Priest of almost 50 years), we began to calculate the cost of maintaining these facilities. Along with the costs of staff, upkeep, and repairs we began to calculate the staggering amounts expended year after year. What was the main cause of our sadness? It was our awareness and recognition of the economic needs of so many people today, especially because our recent recession, who were out of work with no income to meet the needs of their families. We also know that most churches are in decline because they do not have the money or people to continue.
As we considered the fact that the reality of "church" is not buildings but people, we began to hope that more people will decide to use their "people of God" status to serve others and follow the example of Jesus - "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life for many" (Mark 10:45). Jesus, his disciples, and the 70 he sent out to serve to follow his example did not construct buildings. It is not that buildings are completely out but it should not be the main expense of God's people in serving others. Because the needs of so many people in our world are great, shouldn't this be the greater use of our financial resources? Is it not the main work of the church (the people of God) to serve others and not to be served?
I wrote an article a while ago that I hope you will read and consider as the way to be a follower of Jesus today and do God's work in the world. See how we can bring hope to ourselves and others. You will find the article, "The Purpose of the Church Today", online here:
