Sterling Severns Life of the Community, The Right Next Step

Becoming a Church That Sees

When neighbors ask me how things are going at church, the word that keeps surfacing is “alignment.” What a gift it has been to cast our eyes in the same direction and focus our attention on unity.

These days feel familiar. More than 20 years ago, after a sustained season of longing and discernment, we began to sense the Spirit preparing us for something new. It was in that season, as in this one, we found ourselves leaning into trust that God wasn’t finished with us yet.

The leap of faith we took together in the first decade of the 2000s was met by God’s abundant grace and brought about a tremendous season of vitality. The threshold we now stand upon in the mid-2020s feels familiar. It feels like God is drawing us, yet again, toward a future shaped by hope.

Life Together Over the Last Six Months

Over these last six months, we’ve experienced so much life together:

  • We’ve seen long-needed facilities improvements take shape throughout the building, thanks to the dedication and diligence of many behind the scenes.
  • We’ve also witnessed a deepening commitment to participatory worship, as more and more congregants have stepped forward to serve in worship leadership, enriching our shared experience of God’s presence.
  • We ordained Rev. April Kennedy into Gospel Ministry.
  • We celebrated baptisms with Brenda, Spencer, Adah, Luke, Ben, and Raquel.
  • We grieved the passing of Jean and Woody, everyday saints whose lives shaped us in lasting ways.
  • We’ve embraced new rhythms and responsibilities. One of the most tender transitions in our shared life was Judy Fiske’s retirement from the staff after 45 years of faithful ministry. Her move from a staff leadership role to “the pew” has been met with grace on every side, a testament to Judy, the congregation, and the steady presence of our staff team.
  • We celebrated ministries, honored quiet acts of faithfulness, deepened relationships, and tended to the daily rhythms of church life in ways too numerous to name.

Becoming a Church That Sees and Is Seen

For generations, we’ve been known as the church that feeds people, a reputation rooted in compassion and care. That calling remains strong, but we are also maturing into a church that sees people with deepening clarity and compassion.

This has long been true of who we are, but in this season, people are beginning to name it. More and more are saying they feel seen. And in being seen, they are helping us see more clearly who God is calling us to be.

This clarity is shaping how we serve, how we prepare, and how we receive the gifts God is bringing through our neighborhood.

We are also becoming a church that is being seen, seen by neighbors across our city, some for the first time in a long while.

Building for Hope

The Building for Hope initiative is a powerful expression of this transformation. It has become a prayerful invitation to reflect on who we are, to name what we cherish, and to faithfully imagine the kind of future God is calling us to pursue together.

We are also becoming a church that is increasingly visible to our neighbors across the city, many of whom are engaging with us in meaningful ways for the first time in a long while. The Building for Hope initiative is a powerful expression of this transformation. It has become a prayerful invitation to reflect on who we are, to name what we cherish, and to faithfully imagine the kind of future God is calling us to pursue together.

Gratitude and the Road Ahead

We’re not naïve about the challenges ahead. These are demanding days for churches everywhere. And they are also sacred days.

I am grateful for the renewed energy among us, the unity we’re experiencing, and the growing sense that we are pushing forward because we believe God is doing something new.

Thank you to our staff, who lead with deep care and conviction. Thank you to our lay leaders, who carry the weight of this work with faith and joy. And thank you to each of you, for continuing to show up with open hands and hearts.

These are good days. Let’s keep walking together.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Sterling W. Severns, Pastor

Sterling Severns Devotionals, Life of the Community, Rule of Life, Rule of Life Together, The Right Next Step

Sacred Pause & the Path to Freedom

The past few days have felt heavy. Between the news cycle and the looming presidential debate, it’s hard to ignore the way tension creeps into our hearts. There’s a pressure that builds, a simmering frustration, and it doesn’t take much—a comment from a family member, a dismissive remark in a conversation—for that tension to spill over. I’ve felt it myself. It’s easy to snap back, shut down, or get defensive. These knee-jerk reactions often define us in ways we don’t intend—people may no longer see us as someone willing to listen or seek understanding. When our righteous anger shifts into self-righteousness, we can lose sight of the healing God is calling us to offer the world. But that doesn’t mean we’ve missed our chance. God’s grace meets us, not in perfection but in our efforts to return, pause, and try again. Each pause, no matter how difficult, is an invitation to step back into the work of healing—work we’re never disqualified from, no matter how many times we need to begin again.

This past Sunday, just before the benediction, I encouraged you to join me in practicing the Sacred Pause. It’s the space between what happens to us and how we respond. Lately, I find myself leaning into that space and discovering surprising freedom. When life throws us off balance, the Sacred Pause helps us stop reacting and start responding. As I mentioned, “Sometimes, after the pause, the response might be exactly what you originally wanted to say or do. The difference is that now your response comes from a place of peace and thoughtfulness, not frustration.” In that brief pause, we rediscover the freedom Christ offers us—not just from unhealthy reactions, but from the need to respond impulsively to every situation with anger or fear. Click here to learn how to practice the Sacred Pause.

Many great religious traditions embrace the importance of creating space between action and reaction. In moments when we feel overwhelmed by emotions, finding that space is critical to breaking the cycle of impulsive reactions. This pause allows us to reconnect with God and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I’ve been inspired by the broader wisdom found in the work of Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, whose profound reflections on human resilience and choice offer insight for anyone navigating difficult emotional experiences. Frankl wrote:

“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Viktor Frankl

Frankl’s words resonate deeply with the Christian practice of the Sacred Pause. It’s in that pause that we make room for the Holy Spirit to guide us, allowing God’s voice to rise above the noise of our emotions. When we slow down and invite God into that space, we can respond not from fear or anger, but from a place centered in love, grace, and wisdom.

This practice reflects the liberation Paul speaks of in his letter to the Romans, where he encourages the early church to live in the freedom of Christ’s love rather than remain bound by division and conflict. And, in those moments where we struggle or fall short, we remember that God’s grace is always present, drawing us back into that space of transformation. Explore how you can incorporate the Sacred Pause into your daily life.

Returning to the World’s Tension

We live in a world brimming with tension, frustration, and conflict. In our own church life, we’ve felt it too—whether it’s during a difficult conversation in a business meeting or while serving in Community Ministry when impatience gets the better of someone. Perhaps you’ve encountered it on the road, stuck behind the guy with the offensive bumper sticker, or while watching a political talk show where contempt seems to be the driving force. These moments test our capacity to live out the love and grace we’re called to embody.

But here’s the good news: we’re growing together. Every time we lean into the Sacred Pause, we take one step closer to healing ourselves and the world around us. The Sacred Pause begins with us—giving God the space to transform our hearts. In that pause, we not only stop our own unhealthy reactions but also make room for others to be seen, heard, and transformed. When people feel understood, they too are invited into their own pause, to reconsider, and begin again. We may not always get it right the first time or even the second, but the love of God, always present and always at work, gives us the space to try again. And as we grow together in our faith, we get to participate in God’s healing project—a project that is grounded in love, grace, and reconciliation.

Together, as a church community, we have the privilege of being instruments of healing in a world that so desperately needs it. Let’s keep growing, keep pausing, and keep discovering the ways God is leading us to love more deeply, to listen more closely, and to heal more faithfully.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Sterling W. Severns, Pastor

Going Deeper:

God has used many voices to help me grow in my faith, and Arthur Brooks has been one of them. If you’re interested in exploring more about the power of the pause, I encourage you to watch or listen to the conversation between Simon Sinek and Arthur Brooks at the 92nd Street Y, where they discuss the importance of pausing before reacting. You can find the interview here or listen to the podcast here.

John Gottman’s Four Horsemen—criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling—are harmful patterns that damage relationships, often arising when we react out of intense emotions. You can learn more about these patterns here.

Sterling Severns Life of the Community, Rule of Life, Rule of Life Together, Spiritual Disciplines, The Right Next Step

Spiritual Discipline: The Sacred Pause

Morning Reflection: Rediscovering the Freedom to Choose

As described in the article, “Sacred Pause & the Path to Freedom”, the Sacred Pause offers us the freedom that Christ gives—not just from unhealthy reactions, but from the need to respond impulsively in anger or fear. Begin your day by reflecting on the freedom found in Christ’s love and the grace available when we pause, listen, and invite God into our responses.

During the Day: Practicing the Sacred Pause

When you feel emotional or overwhelmed, practice the Sacred Pause by following these steps:

  1. Notice the Moment: Acknowledge when strong emotions arise, without rushing to respond.
  2. Pause and Breathe: Take a few deep breaths, giving yourself time to pause. This space helps you avoid reacting impulsively and invites God’s guidance to work through you.
  3. Ask Self-Awareness Questions:
    • What am I feeling right now?
    • Why am I feeling this way? (Is this connected to something deeper, like past experiences or emotions?)
    • What is God trying to show me through this feeling?
    • Is this a moment where I should respond now, or is God calling me to wait?
    • How would God want to respond through me in this situation?
  4. Recognize the Need to Wait: Remember that the Sacred Pause might lead you to wait for the right time to respond. Sometimes, waiting is part of God’s wisdom, allowing you to reflect more deeply before acting. Trust that waiting is an active, spiritual practice that creates space for God to guide you.

Evening Reflection: Journaling and Sharing

At the end of the day, take a few moments to reflect on your experiences with the Sacred Pause and consider these questions:

  1. Did I create space today to pause and respond thoughtfully?
    How did the Sacred Pause free you from reacting impulsively or defensively, as described in the article, “Sacred Pause & the Path to Freedom”?
  2. Were there moments when I forgot to pause and reacted out of emotion?
    Reflect on specific moments when you acted without thinking. Was it with a family member, coworker, or someone else? Did your reaction create a chain reaction, escalating tension or misunderstanding? This connects to the article’s message about knee-jerk reactions and their consequences.
  3. How did the Sacred Pause help me rediscover my freedom?
    Did the pause help you break a cycle of frustration? Reflect on the freedom from emotional reactivity that Paul describes in Romans and how this practice brings you closer to that freedom.
  4. What deeper emotions or past experiences might have influenced my reactions?
    Think about moments where your reactions were stronger than expected. Could this be connected to something from your past? This ties into the article’s insight on how deeper emotional or historical baggage can influence our reactions.
  5. In what ways did I experience or offer God’s grace today?
    Reflect on how you received or extended grace during your day. Remember that even when we fail to pause, God’s grace meets us, offering us second chances to begin again.

Hopeful Word on Second Chances

As the article beautifully states, “God’s grace meets us, not in perfection but in our efforts to return, pause, and try again.” Every time we pause, whether we succeed or fall short, we are offered the chance to begin again. No impulsive reaction, no matter how intense, disqualifies us from God’s work of healing and transformation. Each new day, each new moment, is an opportunity to pause, respond, and grow.

Going Deeper

For more insights on the power of the Sacred Pause, you can explore these helpful resources:

Sacred Pause & the Path to Freedom”: Discover how the Sacred Pause can help us break free from impulsive reactions.

Arthur Brooks in Conversation with Simon Sinek at the 92nd Street Y: Brooks and Sinek discuss the importance of pausing before reacting and how this practice fosters empathy and understanding.

Viktor Frankl’s Reflections: Explore Frankl’s insight on the space between stimulus and response, where our growth and freedom lie.

John Gottman’s Four Horsemen: Learn more about the damaging patterns that arise from reactive, emotionally charged behavior.