Pastor’s Note
“More and more, the desire grows in me to simply walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you don’t simply like them, but you truly love them.”
—Henri Nouwen
Have you noticed the new banner outside the church?
That’s what Southwood’s olive branch is all about. The olive branch is a symbol of God’s extension of peace and a sign that in Jesus Christ all things are being reconciled and made new. As the church in the community for the community, we’ve received the peace of Christ, and we extend it to others. As we’ve been brought into peace with God in Christ, so we desire everyone to experience the fruits of that peace, which makes all the difference in the life of love we manifest. It was that very peace that drew my family to Southwood over nine years ago as well as attracted many of you.
The “S” in the middle of our city’s name stands for Southwood and expresses the same idea as Paul’s address “to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi….” Just as the early church recognized their dual citizenship, so we must recognize that God has placed us as a community of saints in the city of Huntsville to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ in every way imaginable.
When our neighbors see us living among them in such a way that we make the most out of this life without being bound to the things of this world, they see the heart of Kingdom members seeking God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. In a real sense they see Jesus ruling and reigning and heaven coming to earth.
The olive branch above Huntsville expresses Southwood’s desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through both word and deed ministries. It expresses our heart to come alongside our neighbors and not simply say we like them but truly love them in the way we engage with them, in much the same way as Nouwen describes above. How amazing it would be if the entire city saw the Southwood olive branch as a declaration to the de-churched, unchurched and disenfranchised - a declaration of invitation saying that in Southwood they have a family, a home, and an advocate before God in Jesus Christ!
For Christ and His Kingdom,
Ken Leggett
Interim Pastor