Generally people know about Northaven because of stances we have taken on various issues, or our openness to have things happen here that don t happen in many other churches. It s the church s job to take a stand. Let s be held in esteem because we are so convinced that it s the church s job to take a stand that we bring other people here to take a stand with us. If we leave people alone, they ll think that social responsibility is for chumps and do gooders. If we leave people alone, they will continue to think that church is about phoney people who get together to reinforce each others values.
Cynicism is so tempting.
Let s just take care of our own, watch our own backs, take care of our little corner. But God didn t call us to the ministry of watching our backs. If you look around, you will see the mighty possibilities which rest within this room and within this congregation to explode myths and stereotypes, to advocate for a city which is as effective at people care as it is with mall building, to raise up candidates for ministry who will not regard the status quo as God s will, to do musical and dramatic events that turn this building into Meyerson North.