Dear Church, I really like Jesus, but I can do without you. So I’m moving on. Goodbye. Sincerely, Disappointed Christian
On some levels, I understand the impulse to walk out on the church. It might be helpful to remember that the church is a lot like a family. Families are made up of a wide range of differing characters and personalities. Families are complicated and dynamic. At times family life can be petty, difficult and messy. But they can also be loving, supportive and nurturing.
While some walk away from their families for various reasons, most of us cling to our mom, dad and siblings and find ways to make family work. For all our arguments, fights and disagreements, we love each other and could not do life without our families. In truth, families are the context where we learn how to do life and to become better human beings and global citizens.
Just because families can be complicated and messy, no one would seriously suggest that we do away with them. I think the same could be said about "church families." They can be complicated and messy, but they are absolutely necessary and they have served our town well.
Here in Innisfail we have many small church families. Like families or like restaurants, each of these churches has its unique flavour and each one makes a huge contribution to our town. Together, the churches in Innisfail have supported the local food bank, Charity Check Stop, refugee families, the legion, FCSS, needy transients, newcomers, first-time mothers, the grieving, the divorced, school programs, inmates at Bowden Institution, the aging, the ailing, children and youth.
One of the many small churches in our town is the Innisfail Baptist Church. It has been part of this community since 1894 and it will be celebrating its 125th Anniversary this Sept. 14 and 15. If you would like to join them for any part of their celebration, please call 587-876-4501.
Pastor Len Nation,
Innisfail Baptist Church
