Thankful for Things Both Big & Small

There are certain things that, if I’m honest, I feel a certain sense of entitlement to or take for granted. A warm bed to sleep in, a hot shower to greet me in the morning, three square meals to fill my belly, reliable transportation to get me to and fro, good health and a number of other comforts. By living in the inner-city of New Orleans, God, through my neighbors and friends here, is cultivating a much deeper appreciation for being thankful for the so called “little things.” When many of my neighbors pray, it inevitably starts with “God, thanks for waking me up today.” Somehow I just feel like it is my right to wake up each morning but that isn't true. Year in and year out, New Orleans tops the country in murder rates. Just last week a 17 year-old boy was murdered a couple blocks from the church. With evidence of despair all around, it has been deeply convicting to see such great joy, perseverance and generosity come forth from my neighbors & friends who, by American standards, have very little. I’m very thankful for the ways in which their faith in God as their Great Provider, prods me to be thankful for the many “little things” He faithfully provides for me.

For the work of St. Roch Community Church to happen, it takes a great deal of resources. We are so thankful to all of you who have given of your time, talent, treasure and prayers to see the work of the Gospel go forward both in word and deed. Here are a few other things that some of the members here are thankful for:

“I am thankful for the awesome family that I have here at St. Roch. I have been richly welcomed into a new home. I am thankful for the blessing of opportunity to use the gifts God has given me to glorify Him at St. Roch.” - Julie

"I'm thankful that Christ hung out with crazy individuals. It makes me feel good that when others reject me Christ is always going to be my friend" -Monique

“ I went to church at St. Roch for the first time at Thanksgiving time last year. Since then I have seen my entire life flipped upside down by God. I now live across the street, have loving friends that challenge me and a community to call "home". I am so thankful for SRCC! In all honesty, most blessings in my life can be traced back to my church in some way.” -Benjamin T.

“I am thankful for the way God has assembled such a special group of people together known as St. Roch Community Church. I am thankful for how He has allowed us to grow together, fellowship together, pray together, worship together, etc. I am thankful for the love of God that is evident at SRCC.” -Pastor J.B.

“I’m thankful for my health, my job, my growing faith I have in the Lord, prayer, my children and of course my St. Roch family.” - Ms. Monica

“I am thankful for God’s provisions and providence for me and His calling me to be a part of St. Roch.” - Kayti

Again, thanks for all of your support of St. Roch Community Church. May God richly bless you with His presence as you gather with friends and family.

Sincerely,

Ben McLeish
Development Director

Uncovering the Chrome

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. -Romans 12:15

I’m not sure if you are like me, but I’m an expert in hiding my sin. I put tremendous energy in preserving a chrome image where everything is shiny on the outside and rusting, rough and dangerous metal on on the inside. Maybe you have found yourself striving in the same manner and even more so at church.

We know, though, that God has called us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Most church settings that I’ve found myself in, though, we never get beyond the shiny chrome exterior and if your church is at all like ours, brokenness is all around. One of the great privileges of living in the inner city, though, is that people do not hide their “junk.” There is a realness and authenticity that is unmatched.

I was incredibly encouraged this past week as Pastor J.B. brought before our congregation a young married couple whose marriage is crumbling and taught us the true meaning of weeping with those who weep. As this couple shared their struggles, Pastor J.B. reminded us of our own troubles and sin and challenged us to come around this couple and encourage them.

Looking to Christ, who left all the comforts of Heaven and redemptively entered into our suffering (2 Corinthians 8:9), we as His followers are all called to enter into the pain of others. At St. Roch, we see this played out in a variety of ways including the preaching of the Gospel, restoring damaged homes, programs for underserved youth or just doing life with one another.

Imagine what it would be like if we, the Church, were honest about our sin before God and others. What if we took serious the mandate to enter into the sufferings of others? I wonder how many marriages would be saved, relationships restored and how much rejoicing would be experienced. How would that effect poverty in our country and abroad? Would there be a need for orphanages? Would there be discussions about building bigger prisons? How would the unbelieving world respond? Our young married couple has a long road ahead but with the support of the Body of Christ around them, we anticipate great rejoicing.

By Ben McLeish, Community Development Director at St. Roch Community Church, a PCA church plant in inner-city New Orleans.

The Blog Begins

Stay tuned for updates and reflections from Pastor JB.