He cautiously walked across a field of rubble, carefully managing not to trip on downed rebar, wire, shards of glass, and broken stone. A façade of scarred and burned arches that once held elegant sanctuary windows now framed the smokey haze in the distance. If he closed his eyes, he could still hear the hymns sung by his congregation celebrating the birth of Christ just weeks ago inside the church that is no more. How quickly our joy can turn to sorrow and beauty can become ash.
John Shaver is the senior pastor of the Community United Methodist Church in Pacific Palisades, California. This church, which marked the beginning of a town, was established when a group of Methodists broke ground on the building on August 18, 1929. The area surrounding this historic church was developed to form a Christian community. The streets in the neighborhood are named after Methodist bishops and missionaries who played a significant role in the growth of Pacific Palisades, “where the mountains meet the sea.”
Sadness swept across his face as Pastor John was being interviewed by a local television news reporter. Beneath the shell of the arches and among the smoldering ash was a cross embedded in the wall and untouched by flames. John points to the cross, “I know as heartbreaking as it is, God is with us. We will rebuild.” Despite the painful loss of his home and church, he knew he was called to lead by faith.
As I sit in my comfortable desk chair this morning, watching a tree limb sway in the cool January breeze, my mind begins to wander. My coffee is still warm, and I can hear the washer spinning clothes dry in the distance as the ticking clock in my office counts moments as they pass by. California is far away, but I am acutely aware that others are walking amid loss so devastating that they wonder if such a typical day as mine will ever return.
And when I attend my church on Sunday, some will wish they had one more day to worship in theirs.
You know, the adage, “You don’t miss something until it is gone,” should be a reminder that those places of worship, once gone, will be missed. Those buildings, meant to be a cornerstone in our lives and communities, are the foundation for us to praise God from whom all our blessings flow. Personal opinions, politics, or disagreements should never rock the church’s foundation.
Recently, a man proudly declared, “I walked out of my service the other day when the minister said something I didn’t agree with!” I wanted to respond but didn’t: “Sir, you are just like the rest of us—a sinner attending to hear the word of God. It may not always be what you want to hear, but it is what you might need.”
I, too, walked out of church for a while. Not because of a sermon but mainly because of those who would rather hear what they prefer to believe than God’s words. The hypocrisy got to me. But then I realized we are all sinners, and I am one of them. How do I increase faith if I choose not to participate in it? Faith isn’t just personal; it should be shared if we love God enough to introduce Him to others.
From grand cathedrals to the small churches scattered throughout rural America, all places of worship serve as sanctuaries for peace and understanding. They unite us through faith, forming a collective that makes a meaningful difference. These pillars of society provide a safe haven where we can seek solace and compassion during times of turmoil. They remind us that we are not alone and belong to a larger community bound by our beliefs.
For too many years, we have diminished the significance of worship. Children’s sports are scheduled during church hours, stores open earlier on Sundays, and the emphasis on trivial matters has overshadowed the need for glorifying God on Sunday mornings. This shift in priorities has contributed to the erosion of the communal aspect of faith and the sense of unity it fosters. Then we shout, “What’s wrong with our society?”
Yet, amid our pain, indifference, selfish ways, and messes, the cross stands tall. John Shaver’s confidence, a beacon of hope, will spread and comfort many. The cross, a symbol of unwavering faith, stands before them, a reminder that they will not crumble as their building did. Their faith will be their foundation, their hope, and their shelter. They remind us of community, unity, and the conviction that God is more powerful than fire. Through such trust, glory will rise from the ashes and rebuild the town Community United Methodist began.
