Working well with others is part of what gives people, organizations, and entire communities the resilience needed to get through tough times. Lord knows we’ve all needed extra resilience these past two years. Locally, we’ve endured massive wildfires, prolonged power outages, and a prison closing. Nationally, we’ve dealt with bitter politics, Covid’s persistence, and now a war involving a nuclear super-power.

We need each other to survive and thrive in every aspect of our lives – mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually. We need to worship together, serve together, eat and drink together, laugh and cry together – just like Jesus did with His friends and His enemies. As we aspire to be a church that flourishes in our community, we must continue working well with others. And by doing so, we will demonstrate and experience what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God.

If you need me – or any of our members, especially our Church Council members – to stop being “productive” and start being compassionate, from now on, all you have to do is tell me or text me, “Charles, I need 40 seconds.” And I will do the same with many of you when I need a moment of compassion for myself. Why? Because life happens and we ALL need to hear and feel God’s love.

Yes, the “business operations” of our church are important. But we, each one of us, are more important than any activity, event, decoration, song, or well-researched Sunday message. We, all of us, ARE the organic, living, “Body of Christ,” the love of God made real to ourselves and to each other. Compassion is what holds us together in the Kingdom of God. And compassion is how we, working together as a selfless, coordinated team will transform individuals, families, and organizations throughout our community.

Our Pastor's Blog

Susanville United Methodist Church Weekly Messages

Virtue #8 – Flourishing Churches Work Well with Others – 8 Short Verses

Virtue #6: Teamwork – 4 Scripture Readings