KCC’s Historian, Richard Marcellus has found an Easter-themed reflection from a Chimes circa 2008. During that time the building was undergoing renovations and getting ready for new life. May this past reflection from former KCC minister, Rev. Bruce Larson remind us of what God has done, what the Holy Spirit has brought us through, and inspire our hope for what Love has yet in store for KCC’s future.
Pastor’s Ponderings by Rev. Bruce Larson – March 2008
I am a big believer in the incarnational aspect of Christian faith. “Incarnation” is theological jargon for “embodied” or “enfleshed.” It means that our faith takes human form. This is not only based on Jesus’ life and ministry as “God among us.” It also derives from the creation accounts at the beginning of the book of Genesis. Most of what God creates are things and creatures. And all of what God creates is “good, very good.”
Contrary to much philosophical and religious thought in ancient times and now, the physical world is not to be escaped but embraced as a gracious gift from God. This means that practicing the Christian faith is not an airy-fairy affair. It is, quite literally, grounded in creation. We human beings are creatures vitally connected to creation. Like it or not, we are dependent upon the earth and what it provides.
I’m thinking a lot about this nowadays as Phase One remodeling is underway on the front and courtyard areas of KCC’s facilities. Under the watchful and coordinating eye of Building Committee Chair Damon Schamu –who, incidentally, is doing a fantastic job of overseeing this work; thank you, Damon! – almost every day, some new revelation has come to pass.
Excavation reveals a pipe below. Demolition shows water damage behind. Termite-eaten wood is replaced. Weak spans are strengthened. A new ceiling comes into being ex nihilo. All of these very
physical changes remind me of the very physical nature of the Christian faith.
Whenever there is a significant physical change in the facilities of a congregation, it is always accompanied by a significant spiritual development. That spiritual development isn’t always good.
Sometimes a congregation can fall into the trap of becoming monument builders. When this happens, the building becomes an idol, and God is ignored.
A more healthy spiritual development happens when we harness the excitement associated with the new physical changes taking shape. We ask ourselves:
- What do these changes suggest to us?
- How do they change our self-identity as a congregation?
- What does this imply for us and our ministries?
While I looked out on the forms awaiting the concrete that will extend the patio towards the street, I envisioned the possibility that next year we can start our Palm Sunday processional on the patio, waving our palms right out there for all on Marlborough Avenue to see.
And think of all the other ways in which our new patio will provide us both those things – a great place to gather together, to draw into deep life together as a church, and a great way to reach out, to draw out into our community.