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Dear San Marco Church Family: Have you ever noticed how acknowledging and celebrating the positive aspects of individuals and communities offers momentum and encouragement for everyone involved? I have observed this specifically as it relates to San Marco Church. We are a church in which the majority of our members have been worshipping here less than ten years. You might think of this as a neutral observation. However, as a pastor who has served several congregations, I definitely see this as a positive characteristic. Generally speaking, congregations and communities that are relatively new have fewer “sacred cows”, a term that refers to practices and traditions in which people become inflexible and not open to change. This inflexibility can lead to stress and conflict, and this inflexibility may diminish the ministry of the organization. San Marco Church has a long, established history in our community, but our membership changed significantly in the past decade. This change has resulted in increased diversity and a refreshing openness to welcoming new people. Put simply, we are a community in which a new person need not worry about existing cliques making it difficult to participate in our life together. We welcome new ideas and new people with a nimble enthusiasm. As I consider the life of those in the first century church, as outlined in the New Testament book of Acts, I see similarities between those new followers of Jesus and our church. We offer a healthy environment for seekers, for long-time followers of Jesus, and for those who have experienced disappointment with previous church experiences. I think we live into the idea of “come as you are.” Because of our diverse membership, we offer great opportunities for those who may wish to start a new small group or to consider specific projects. Please reach out to me if you have ideas to pursue! This Sunday, June 1, I will be offering a message based upon Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17. I invite you to read that chapter and consider what unity means to you, both in your personal relationships and in your understanding of church life together. I find this chapter to be one of the richest, most loving passages in all of scripture. When I read it, I am moved by the idea that Jesus offers such an intimate, heartfelt prayer for his disciples, and, by extension, for all of us. I appreciate your prayers for all our worship team, as worship each week is a team effort! Thank you for your continuing support of San Marco Church. I look forward to seeing you in worship Sunday! Steve Hart
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