Sad Cities

According to MSN, "Some U.S. cities were depressed even before the economy went on life support. These were the cities that saw the highest depression and suicide rates even while the Dow Jones was climbing to 14,000 and Countrywide Financial was considered a respected mortgage lender. Why? Blame a variety of reasons, from divorce and crime to lousy weather and job loss. As the rest of the country struggles with the financial crisis, it is possible that some of these cities may soon become even unhappier."

Then, MSN went on to list the 10 unhappiest US Cities...they'll shock you.
1. Portland
2. St. Louis
3. New Orleans
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
6. Jacksonville
7. Las Vegas
8. Nashville-Davidson
9. Cincinnati
10. Atlanta

When you think of the size of these cities, you realize we are talking about a massive number of people with a high degree of sadness. This morning I heard Supt. Paul Walter (Ohio FMC Superintendent) speak about what God said to Jonah about Nineveh. Niniveh would have ranked as one of the Old Testament 10 saddest cities because of the sin, dysfunction, and violence there. God said to the runaway prophet Jonah, "Isn't it right that I should care about what happens to this great city?" It was his heartfelt desire that Jonah would care, too, and would willingly be a tool to help the sad people in the sad, sad city see hope.

I think God feels the same way today about these cities. Do you care? Do I care? Let's pray today for the sad people in sad cities--let's pray for the believers to rise above circumstances, and be lights in a dark place. Pray for churches to care about what matters most, and be beacons of hope. "Is it not right that we should care for these great cities?"

Joining a church??

“I tell our new members: you don’t join a preacher, you join the church. And you join the church for one reason—because you believe that God told you to plant your life there. If you join because of a style of preaching, that can change. If you join for the facilities or the programs, that can change. You’ve got to ask, ‘Where does God want me to invest my life?’ We don’t welcome spectators.”—Dan Yeary, pastor of North Phoenix Baptist Church, attended by presidential candidate John McCain. The quotation comes from an interview with The Christian Century magazine. [religionblog.dallasnews.com, 6/9/08]

So what do you think of that? That's the kind of talking that gets a pastor criticized. But it's true. Churches are not intended to compete for "attenders", seeing who can put on the best show each week. Churches are intended to have a compelling vision, and Christ-followers are intended to identify with a church and it's mission. When you find a mission that is worth the investment of your life, you stay there--even if the music changes, the carpet changes, or little things happen that aren't your favorite. You see yourself as investing your one and only life in something that matters for eternity, and doing it with others who are as committed as you are. It's like committing to marriage--it's something you give your life to.

July marks the 30th year I have been part of Cornerstone. I believe in our mission and vision. I plan to be here, making a successful pass of a vital, relevant faith to new generations by helping them find the Father, a Family, and a Fulfilling Future for a long time to come. My heart is completely bonded to the core of people who are making this investment with me, despite the changes, despite the occasional things we disagree about. We DO agree about the mission--and that keeps us on this team. I love you guys. What we're doing really matters.