Storm reigns. Sure, the NRL laity north of the border will rightly think I’m just talking about the Mexican invasion and conquest of their beloved code. Closer to home however, a different storm reigns.
The roller coaster ride I wrote about a couple of entries earlier is now well and truly in full swing. The church board met over the weekend. The casualty list now reads: 1 has resigned and left. 1 has formally notified intention to resign and leave. This person did not attend the meeting. 1 verbally informed the Board, during the meeting, of a request for a 12 month leave of absence. 1 verbally informed the Board of a need to return to the Board member’s homeland to care for an ailing and ageing parent. The anticipated absence is at least 6 months, starting maybe first quarter of next year. Not forgetting the 1 who left earlier this year and we now have 5 of the original 9 gone or leaving. That isn’t the end of the list. 1 actually intended to provide notice but didn’t get around to doing it because the meeting requested with the Elders (during which the notice was to have been provided) did not materialise.
Finally – I have so far kept my (earlier) intention to leave, to Tress only. It had a purely theological basis and with hindsight it was the most benevolent, benign or pure reason. Given the present circumstances, I couldn’t possibly contemplate proceeding with that decision. Assuming I did, that is 7, out of 9. Of the remaining 2, 1 is often away for work and the other – my mate – has a family of 4 young boys, with the youngest a mere 6 weeks old.
Roller coaster now doesn’t sound apt – OmahaBeach is probably a better depiction.
Right on cue, TT Quah spoke a message of hope on Sunday. It was titled “Friday’s here but Sunday’s coming”. It was themed around renewal, that when something looked like it is finished it is not necessarily the end. To be honest from the perspective of substance, it had aplomb and little else. Even the title was plagiarised. I distinctly remember a video featuring Tony Campolo where he echoed a black preacher who preached on precisely that theme: It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming. TT didn’t mention Tony Campolo in his sermon. I suppose in the context of a non-academic setting that mattered less but it certainly sounded like the title was his idea. That is less than the whole truth – which matters.
I asked him after if any of the Board members had spoken to him which contributed to a choice of sermon. He said no so perhaps that was divine timing. I hope that response would not later prove to be an integrity issue I might have with him.
Whether we plough through from that blood soaked shores of OmahaBeach and fight on for VE Day remains to be seen. The only comfort I draw is that it really isn’t my battle; it is the Lord’s and He has his reasons and timing for all things. How we all need to sit at His feet and wait on Him at this time.
Ante 