But today is new. For the first time I can recall, youth ministry positions in an already small department have been cut. What does this mean?
- What does it mean when before the 1988 merger there were something like 17 youth ministry staff in the 3 predecessor bodies deployed around the country. Now we're down to a director, a Gathering Director, a Gathering Assistant Director and a support staff?
- What does it mean when the church is being asked to do more with less?
- What does it mean when churches withhold beneveolent support to make a statement?
- What does it mean when some claim that we are moving into a post-denominational era?
There are many more questions than answers. And there will be time and space to talk about these things.
But today we need to focus on a different "what does this mean?" question:
What does it mean when our friends have lost their jobs? What does it mean for them? For their families? For their colleagues and friends?
This is the most difficult and yet the most important of the questions we can ask today. The other questions can wait.
So for today, what does this mean? :It means that we have friends who are hurting. There are people who have done good work over the years on behalf of the church...on behalf of congregations...on behalf of young people...on behalf of the Network. And now they are hurting. Dianha and Rod, please know that you have friends who know you are hurting. You have friends who are praying for you. And remember the God of grace who surrounds with love and grace. In our prayers, we hope you feel that grace today.
This Network was formed because people doing ministry needed support. It's time to be the Network for each other.
Peace in troubled times,
tb
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