Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Dear Friends of Living Stones,

I did not get a chance to share at the event because I was getting in costume- I wanted to thank you all for your warmth and generosity toward me and my family over the years.

Earl Marlink told the story of well-meaning strategists saying about Living Stones (Then Sacramento CRC) "It's in the wrong neighborhood."  Earl's emphatic "NO!" sent shivers up my spine as I got into my Pharisee costume in the adjoining office.  

That "NO!" rings out against the very loud voice of our culture of "common sense", pragmatism and addiction to comfort.  When Jesus said to the woman who anointed him, "Your sins are forgiven....go in peace", he was shouting "NO!" to the pompous influence-peddling of the self-righteous Pharisees and inviting them to a new way of living, a new clarity on the depth of their sin and the power of God's grace, and thus a new way of valuing others...and neighborhoods.

When God called me to Sacramento 12 years ago, it was with a clear mandate to love the neighborhood of Gardenland/Northgate, another "wrong" neighborhood for church planting, in many ways similar to this South Sacramento neighborhood.  So I went, with so many unanswered questions, and so very much naivete, with so few slam dunk church planting skills.  But I had a crystal clear call to be whoever God was shaping me to be in that place; that one, and no other, because God cares about those people too, those specific people in that place, and not just a certain minimum number one must have to make it work- "200 in 2 years or too bad for you"....

Let me tell you, the people of Living Stones, that when I walked into your building and met your people and yes, heard your music, 12 years ago, I knew the Holy Spirit was there.  I had never experienced anything quite like it, yet it felt like I was coming home.  And, get this- it inspired me!  When I met you all, I heard God say, "See, what I called you to do and to be, it can be done, and I chose you to lead it."

So Earl, Paul, and all the people of Living Stones, thank you!  Thank you for listening to that still small voice and shouting down the pragmatic strategists- Wrong neighborhood? "NO!"  

Go Well,
Pastor Dave Lindner