Pastor Matt Rogers From Pastor Matt Rogers: This Sunday morning, we are expecting a group of people to hold a peaceful protest on the sidewalk near the church building. The church staff and volunteer leaders are working with the city and other neighboring businesses to be sure everyone is treated with respect, feels safe, and as a church family we are able to come together and worship without distraction. As we prepare for this Sunday, I wanted to share a few reflections with you on how we can best show love for Jesus and others. Please pray for our church. As Pastor Mark shared in his recent communications with the church there were times he was “angry in a sinful way” and that “people who saw or experienced my sin during this season are hurt.” A process was established with the oversight of our Board of Accountability and Advisors through Crossways Resolution Group to pursue personal reconciliation in a biblical way which you can read about here. As fellow elders we have seen the fruit of this repentance growing for several years in the way Pastor Mark leads from the pulpit and the way he leads behind the scenes. As Christians we will pursue peace with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, but we will not be able to reconcile with everyone. While some carry hurt and burdens that we are attempting to reconcile, others are pursuing changes to our legal structure, others want change in our theological convictions, and others want change in our ministry philosophy. On many of these areas we simply will not be able to agree. But we will strive to interact with those who disagree with us on these matters in a way that is biblical and does not harm the reputation of Jesus’ church with those watching from the outside. Please pray for the people who are protesting. Your pastors are asking you to join us in praying for those who will be protesting. We pray for them because we believe most are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray for them because it guards our own hearts from reacting in ways that do not glorify the Lord or commend Christ to this city. And we pray because in times of uncertainty we have a Father in Heaven who loves us and comforts us through his Holy Spirit. We will worship Jesus together every Sunday. We have a great privilege of coming together to worship as a family of brothers and sisters in Christ. That precious time together is a gift we will never forsake as a church for any reason. My heart needs that time together every week. The Holy Spirit moves among us in a special way when hundreds of voices are raised singing of the mighty works of God, listening to the good news of Jesus Christ, and seeking the Lord together in prayer. That time in communion together is a gift bought for us when Jesus took the wrath we deserved for our sin on himself. This time together every week is a chance for us to rejoice in the gift of salvation we have received through faith in Christ. On a personal note, I wish all of you had the opportunity to know Pastor Mark as I do. My family came to Mars Hill Church about five years ago, and I can say I have never experienced the church or the man people write about before that time. I simply don’t recognize that church and I don’t recognize that man. Having been a leader in one capacity or another the entire time Pastor Mark has been here in Bellevue I’ve spent time with him backstage, spent time with his family, shared meals together, and been in many meetings with him. He is a man who has learned the hard way how to be a good pastor—and by God’s grace that’s what he is today. I can only speak for the Pastor Mark I have come to know over the last few years. He is a man worthy of respect and I am grateful to call him my pastor. Sunday is not about Pastor Mark and it’s not about Mars Hill Church. It’s not about protestors and it’s not about you or me. It’s all about Jesus. This Sunday we will sing about Jesus, we will hear how Jesus saves us from our sin, and we will pray that more people will know Jesus and have eternal life with Him. Pastor Matt View this topic on The City »
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 03:50:58 +0000
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