March 11, 2006
Dear Resurrection Family,
This morning I read with tremendous sadness the story of accusations of moral failure against a prominent evangelical pastor in Colorado. Though I don't know him personally, I have followed this pastor's ministry and I have had a positive impression of his work. I am hopeful the charges are not true, and I am praying for him, his family and his church.
Part of what I know is that sometimes such stories are true. This next Monday and Tuesday I am taking our lead staff on retreat where we will worship, pray, play and plan together for 36 hours. Every year one part of my talk with them is about integrity and guarding their hearts against compromise. I would encourage you in this as well. I have seen this on several occasions with pastors and lay people who led a double life, somehow believing they would not be caught - but it always leads to pain.
Sorry to start off on such a down note, but my heart is sad for this man today.
Here's what I'll cover in today's e-mail:
1. 128 Adults and Children Joined the Church Last Weekend!
2. This weekend: The Parable of the Talents, Holy Communion
3. Congratulations Gould Evans Architects - Resurrection Student Center
4. Thank you from Bishop and Etta Mae Mutti
5. Thank you from Andi - a 3 rd Grader
6. Thoughts on Embryonic Stem Cell Research
1. 128 Adults and Children Joined the Church Last Weekend!
Even as the Chiefs played a home game (and what a great game!) 128 adults and children attended Coffee with the Pastors and professed their faith in Jesus Christ and their desire to be a part of this church family. Some are long time Christians. Many are relatively new to faith. What an excited and exciting group this is! You'll have a chance to see their names in the bulletin this weekend and to welcome them during worship.
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2. This weekend: The Parable of the Talents, Holy Communion
This weekend we'll focus on the Parable of the Talents as we continue our study of the parables of Jesus. This parable is one of an entire category of parables Jesus tells about our life purposes, God's expectations, and how we will be judged at the last day. Others include the parable of the tenants, the parable of the minas, the parable of the sower, the parable of the bridesmaids, the parable of the vineyard, and the parable of the wise and faithful servant. I have been blessed in preparing this message and I trust that God will speak to you through our study of these words of Jesus. We'll also be sharing together in Holy Communion - for many of us, our favorite weekend of the month (we serve communion in all services on the first weekend of the month, and then in the Firestone Chapel every week after worship). I hope you will join us for a powerful weekend of worship!
3. Congratulations Gould Evans Architects - Resurrection Student Center
Just a quick word of congratulations to Gould Evans Architects who designed the renovations to our Student Center. They recently received the 2006 Lighting Award for their work on our Student Center.
4. Thank you from Bishop Fritz and Etta Mae Mutti
I received this letter for you this last week from Bishop Fritz Mutti who is coordinating the United Methodist Church's Global AIDS Fund:
To our Friends at the Church of the Resurrection: It was recently made known to us that you have contributed a large donation to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. We were "blown away" with the news and want you to know how grateful we are to you. We understand that members made the decision to fast for one meal in order to contribute the cost of that meal to the UM Global AIDS Fund. That is very admirable and a meaningful way to help others who are less fortunate. Thank you for what you have done. Fritz and Etta Mae Mutti
5. Thank you from Andi - a 3 rd Grader
I also received this thank you note from one of our 3 rd Graders - I was touched by it and thought you would be as well:
"Dear Adam, Thanks so much for my Bible. I will tresure it and read it. I will always rembr that day. Thanks Agin!! Andi"
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6. Thoughts on Embryonic Stem Cell Research
This coming week Missouri voters will vote on a constitutional amendment that will guarantee that research with embryonic stem cells can take place in Missouri. This is in response to some state legislators attempting to criminalize this kind of research. For the last year I have been reading and doing a bit of thinking on this issue. I had not forced myself to think through how I would vote on it, were I voting. But as this election looms on the horizon I decided I would devote time in prayer and reflection to consider how God might view the issue of embryonic stem cell research and, specifically, the ethical issues related to how one obtains embryonic stem cells for this research. I have wavered on this issue because I can see both sides of it. This last week I began writing a paper, more for myself than for you, yet one that I hoped might be helpful as you are thinking through this issue as well. I have attempted to describe what an embryonic stem cell is, how they are obtained, and the ethical issues as I understand them. Finally, I sought to come to some conclusions regarding the question of whether God would have us support or reject a specific procedure for obtaining embryonic stem cells. I am not suggesting I clearly know the mind of God on this issue - I am offering my thoughts as I have wrestled with this issue. If you are interested in reading this paper, click here on this link. It is important for you to do your own thinking on this issue, and I want to encourage you to feel free to dialogue with this paper and disagree with it, reaching your own conclusions.
We live in a world of temptations, challenges and complex moral problems. Part of our task as Christians is to seek to know, and live, God's will for our lives. This is not always easy. We may not always see clearly. But it is always an adventure, filled with joy as we seek to faithfully follow Jesus Christ.
I am grateful to be your Senior Pastor!
Adam Hamilton