Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

Not just a week ago, Charlie Kirk was killed at an appearance in Utah. Kirk was a leading voice with younger people who align with conservative politics in the United States. Kirk’s death brings our nation’s proclivity for violence and polarity to the forefront. His death by gunfire is a narrative we have grown used to.

In June of this year Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their Minnesota home. They number among others who have been killed in acts of political violence.

Voices across the nation are crying out for an end to political violence. Truth. As people made in the image of God, is there any difference between those who are killed for whatever motive? We know from the Bible that life is sacred and that each person is loved by God. Rep. Hortman, Charlie Kirk, and the unhoused persons who die on our streets each day are all equally as valuable to God.

Part of what drives our outrage against these public acts of violence is less the loss of life but perhaps more the fact that it bears witness to what we have become. Intolerant. Vindictive. Polarized. Envious. Full of hate. We have a theological word to describe these things: sin.

As a person of faith, I certainly do not find myself in lockstep with any political figure. We each have our own opinions on matters in the political realm. From a pastoral standpoint, I do my best to ensure that our church can hold a diversity of people with varying political views.

Our only hope is in Jesus Christ. He becomes harder for us to hold given that He, himself, has been co-opted by the political forces of our day. How broken we are to sully our Lord with the stain of our personal politics! We still yet affirm there is a way for us to be faithful followers of Jesus in these difficult seasons.

The opportunity is as ripe as ever to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom. How can we do that in a world pitted against itself?

• Become defenders of life in conversations, social media, and other public spaces. (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13-16, Luke 12:6-7, John 10:10)
• Work for peace and reconciliation in relationships at home, work, and play. (Proverbs 12:20, Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14 James 3:18)
• Affirm the need for personal and communal repentance. (Isaiah 55:7, Ezekiel 18:30-31, Acts 3:19)
• Point to Jesus as our sure and living hope. (John 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. Strength to Love, 1963

May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ be ours in abundance.

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown

(September 16, 2025)