Less than human

Notes from the Pastor...

There is a rising awareness within our society as to the long-term effects of war.  One of the historically common trends among veterans has new terminology:  Moral Injury is defined as “lasting psychological, biological, spiritual, behavioral, and social impact of perpetrating, failing to prevent, or bearing witness to acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations.”  In laymen’s terms, Moral Injury is the dehumanizing effects of continual exposure and participation in a less than human atmosphere; and war is less than human.

As a nation, next Monday, May 28, we will celebrate Memorial Day as a solemn occasion to fix our societal hearts on the sacrifice offered by a few for the good of the many.  As we place American flags at our door posts, remembering men and women who serve us courageously and faithfully, let us pray for those who suffer from Moral Injury.  Both pacifism and “just war theory” advocate peace as the central motive even in the midst of violence.  Therefore, let us be activists for peace and prayerfully consider the ultimate end to violence.

Sadly, in this election year, rhetoric will be used to demean the sacrifices offered without reservation.  This leads me to wonder how much Moral Injury we create not only through our longest war, but also in our warfare analogies pointed at people that differ from us in religious belief, political affiliation, or sexual orientation.

1 John 5 instructs the children of God to overcome the world through obedience to the commands of God; specifically: “love one another.”  Our neighbors, both service members and civilians, need a hopeful
community, a family of faith that is committed to overcome hate, discouragement, abuse, and the inhuman atmosphere of war.  No one should have to suffer from Moral Injury.  And no one should suffer Moral Injury alone, without a community committed to their healing and restoration.


May this Memorial Day be more than a day of remembrance for you and I; may it be a day of firm resolve where First Christian Church Ruidoso commits herself to her mission in the world: “Through the work of worship, the self sacrifice of discipleship, and the healing of hopelessness we participate in the Kingdom of God.”

May the Peace of Christ be with you,
Pastor Ryan

Risk, Self-Sacrifice, and Abundant Life

Notes from the Pastor...

On the second Monday of every month the nuts and bolts of vocational ministry come to an apex.  On that day, it is my duty and honor to provide a Senior Minister Report to your Executive Board.  The report highlights administrative and pastoral activities from the past month.  As I prepared May’s report I reflected
back to Lent, to Holy Week, to Easter, and to Mother’s Day; then I realized a continual theme has dominated my conversations, sermons, and teachings thus far this year.

William Temple, the renowned Churchman once said, “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.”

In the season nestled between Easter and Pentecost we find the resting place of the Church.  Given the resurrected appearance in John 21 we assume that Peter, even after the faith-birthing Easter display of life, went back to fishing;  the life he held before Jesus called him to “follow me.”  His move from birthed faith to inactive existence is a tempted habit for you and me, as it has been throughout the history of Christianity.  And just as in days of old, on that lakeshore, Jesus corrects us still.  Even as we are fishing Jesus repeats his beautiful, life-changing call: “Follow me.”

First Christian Church Ruidoso cannot, and should not, exist solely for the benefit and recreation of her members.  Rather, we as a church exist to participate in the  Mission of God – that is to nurture the life, love, and peace of Christ in our community.  The irony of existing for others is the more we die to self, the more we gain “abundant life.”  Make no mistake; following Jesus in the Mission of God is a risky endeavor.  It cost Peter his life, and two thousand years later, the price has not changed.  Yet risk is the place where vulnerability and expectation meet.

So may we continue to sacrifice our collective desire for benefit and recreation so we may receive “abundant life” in Jesus the Christ.  After all, “through the work of worship,  the self-sacrifice of discipleship, and the healing of hopelessness we participate in the Kingdom of God.”

May the Peace of Christ be with you,
Pastor Ryan

All things new

Notes from the Pastor...

The greatest testimony, in all of Scripture, may well be the pronouncement by the one who sits on the throne, presumably the risen Jesus, in the 21st chapter of the Book of Revelation; he says, “Behold, I am making all
things new.”  The problem with this testimony is we often prescribe its effect to the future and to some post-mortem existence in the life beyond.  Yet when we study the Book of Revelation we find that its effect is in the present (or maybe even the past) and not merely the future.  

aspect:  n. 1. A category of the verb designating primarily the relation of he action to the passage of time, especially in reference to completion, duration, or repetition.

The aspect of the Book of Revelation is notoriously difficult to detect.  Nevertheless, just for a moment imagine what our world would look like if Jesus’ pronouncement, “Behold, I am making all things new,” meant TODAY.  What kind of hope, optimism, ministry, and compassion would this birth into our lives?  What past disasters, pains, and abandonments would be healed?  

With the birth of our daughter on April 18th, Kristyn and I (along with Jack) experienced the exclusively sublime freshness of new.  After the Lenten season spills into Easter we ministers are tired; we pour all our spirit into Holy Week and often don’t feel the relief of the empty tomb until weeks after the echoes of “He is risen, indeed” have ceased.  Yet when Ellie Spring reclined into my arms I felt the breath of hope that comes with the pronouncement, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

This may be auspicious, but I tell you; God hears the prayers of his Church.  His kingdom and will are progressing to reality on earth as it is in heaven.  “Behold,” in this moment, the risen Jesus says, “I am making all things new.”

May the peace of Christ be with you,
Pastor Ryan