In a list of his challenges in 2 Corinthians 11:23-30, the Apostle Paul included his “concern for all the churches” as one of the most difficult things he faced. We may wonder why he would include that concern along with his chronicles of being beaten and shipwrecked. The church must have meant a lot to Paul. His words resonate with us as we contemplate reopening and returning to public worship services. I realize that we are all in this together. Your thoughts as members of the church matter to your ministers and especially to me. In these days, though, I feel the weight not only of how it affects me, but how it affects thousands of us and our witness in the city. Some have simpler solutions than I see at this point. I find in our church a range of opinions, from “we never should have stopped public worship” to “don’t come back until the end of summer.” The good news is our corporate worship continues to be a blessing. Far from putting ministry on hold, we have found God opening new venues of ministry that we had not imagined. My time spent in study to preach has never been richer or more meaningful to me. I sense the power and pleasure of God as I preach. Often as we sing in the worship center while you sing in your homes, I am overcome with tears, longing for our return.
As we continue to pray for our government leaders with gratitude, we hope for a sustained decline in new Covid cases over a fourteen day period in our city and state. Remember, the White House suggested this as the guideline for moving to Phase 1 of reopening. Would you pray with me for this to happen? As I write today, I read that we have one consecutive day of decline in Houston. Texas broke a three day decline with an upsurge in cases yesterday. Christian leaders in our own Texas medical center have asked churches to wait until June to reopen. They base this on scientific data and the current cases in our city and state. Their reasoning seems sound to me. So we will pray and plan and prepare to reopen and trust that God will lead us. The consequences of this decision, like others we have made in this season weigh heavily on me . . . “I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches . . .” especially Tallowood, for each and for all of our members and those who are joining us in these days. Thank you for your prayers and your encouragement. Thank you for supporting and for choosing to be a part of what God is doing at Tallowood even in these difficult days. We are grateful. I look forward to the days when we gather together again!