Tornado Warnings in a Church Daycare
I had last Wednesday afternoon all planned with work in the office and pastoral visits. However, I make plans with the knowing that God might direct my steps elsewhere. Such was the case last Wednesday when the tornado siren sounded just before 3PM.
Thankfully this story does not end with the touching down of a tornado. However, the story does end with our church staff seated on the floor with the children and teachers for over thirty minutes. In 11 years of pastoring churches with daycares or after-school programs, this was the first time I could remember the church’s staff and the childcare staff being together in the same space. Isn’t it strange how it takes the threat of disaster to force us into the same rooms with one another?
So often, churches that provide childcare programs have two entities under one steepled roof. The childcare program and the church operate largely apart from one another as separate organizations. Yet a tornado siren reminds us that at the end of the day, we are one in ministry. The siren of the Holy Spirit, calls us back “to the Rock that is higher than I,” which is Jesus Christ (Psalm 61:2).
I am grateful to work in a building whose first floor, the Child Development Center, reminds me of who Jesus is everyday.
all good things to each of you,
Pastor Darian
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, September 16, 2018
Proverbs 1:20-33
Psalm 19
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38