July 8, 2016
A CALL FOR PRAYER BY NORTHWEST CONFERENCE LEADERSHIP

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ,

Once again we have witnessed the tragic loss of human life with the recent shooting incidents in which Philando Castile was shot and killed after being pulled over by the police in the Twin City metro area and Alton Sterling experiencing a similar fate in Baton Rouge. We are deeply distressed by these events and also what they appear to communicate about us as a nation. We are also alarmed by the killing of five Dallas police officers last night during an otherwise peaceful demonstration in that city.

As I sit at my desk and write these words on a Friday afternoon, it is difficult to know how to respond to these kinds of occurrences other than to say that we grieve and are sickened. I have had an opportunity to communicate with several other NWC pastors and we stand together with our brothers and sisters in Christ, Covenant and otherwise, who are seeking to provide hope, comfort, and clarity in the midst of deeply troubling events in the life of the Twin Cities community and beyond.

Yet, words alone do not change policy or behavior, let alone the hearts of people. Rather, violence begets violence...hatred fuels even more hatred. And sadly, too often we are only "reaping what we have sown." May God forgive us and save us from ourselves!

Therefore, we ask that you and your church be in prayer for all of our churches, pastors, and people that are in geographic proximity to these recent tragedies; asking God to provide faith, courage, and stamina as local congregations seek to be "salt & light" in the midst of great darkness and despair.

In a recent communication, Carl Nelson, Executive Director of "Transform Minnesota: The Evangelical Network" writes among other things:

We appeal to every church in Minnesota to address the deadly violence that has occurred in our nation this past week, including the tragic deaths of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, a 2-year-old child in North Minneapolis and the deaths of 5 police officers in Dallas.

Romans 12 commands us to "weep with those who weep," and many people in our own state are weeping, whether they be the family and friends of young Black men, or the family and friends of police officers.

Past experience has informed us that when churches have remained silent in moments like now, those who mourn are hurt by our silence when we do not grieve with them.

Since the tragic events of Wednesday and Thursday nights, groups of pastors have already been gathering to lament and pray for peace in groups and networks around our state and nation. Now as we prepare to lead our congregations on Sunday, may God use each pastor to bring comfort, peace and hope through the Gospel of Jesus.

If you find yourself struggling with how to address these events with your congregation, here are some things to keep in mind:
  1. Remember to pray for all parties involved. Give equal weight to both tragedies, recognizing that every life is sacred, and we mourn the loss of every life.
  2. Pray specifically for the families of those killed, by name. (These include Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Officers Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Mike Smith and Lorne Athens, as well as a Minneapolis toddler who hasn't yet been publicly identified at the time of this writing.)
  3. Lead your congregation in a time of lament. A reading of a lament from the Psalms (such as Psalm 74 or Psalm 90) would be appropriate.
  4. Encourage all Christ-followers to expand their relational circles and be exposed to the social realities of others.
  5. Embrace a comprehensive understanding of the Gospel as Jesus came as Lord and Savior to conquer both individual sin and systemic sin including violence, racism, and social inequalities.
Together as the Body of Christ we must lament, pray for peace, and offer hope to the world.

So NWC pastors and leaders, may God use each one of us to be reconcilers because of the Cross of Jesus Christ. It is our only hope ...

COURAGE and GOD'S PEACE!


Mark R. Stromberg, Superintendent
 
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