Courageous Living

For the past weeks, I have been pondering the meaning of courage.
Let me explain the process of my thinking. As an introduction to the topic I found a most meaningful quote in a script from a well known movie regarding this elusive but needed quality.

“Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got? Courage! ” (Thanks to the Cowardly Lion...)

....so, what is it? ----1st the dictionary definition---

cour·age –n: the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.; to have the courage of one's convictions, to act in accordance with one's beliefs, esp. in spite of criticism.

Synonyms: fearlessness, dauntlessness, intrepidity, pluck, spirit. Courage refers to qualities of spirit and conduct. Courage permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear: to take courage implies bravery with daring and an intrepid boldness.

So, in sum, courage means facing our fears.

I encountered the use of this term at a conference I recently attended. A wise old Microsoft veteran used the term "courage" in reference to how we as technologists must provide ways for those who are technologically illiterate to lose their fear of the computer and online methodologies.

It caused me to pause a moment to consider what this word might mean for us as a church, both particular to Calvary and particular to the church at large. What fears bind and limit the ways a church can advance the Kingdom? What fears limit churches?

Particular to my church, Calvary: As I reflect on the past 17 months since Pastor Julie "dropped the bomb" on us as a church and told us she was leaving, besides dealing with the stages of grief, it seems to me that we have had to also face some of our individual and collective fears---over the past few months our fears expressed themselves in many ways, mostly from our intense questions of one another's motives.

Conspiracy theories emerged as we did this to each other.

The questions?

  • What kind of church are we?
  • What kind of church are we going to be?
  • Oh dear, are we going to slip down the slippery slope of liberalism?
  • Are we going to start becoming a non baptist congregation?
  • A community church?
  • And even horror of horrors, a bapto-catholic church?

And on and on...

This focus on our own diversity of opinions caused us to lose focus on our true mission--to reach our community with the message of Christ and His love for them. This inward focus caused us to react to one another in fear.

When I use the objectivity of impartial observation, then I am able to focus on the values that drive my true self: The Real, Truth, Spirit, Being, Consciousness, Observation.

Just what are character qualities of churches-(especially as it has to do with the choices we can make here in our city)? It certainly isn't fearfulness.

When I do that, Calvary comes into clear focus.

Several questions can be used to winnow these factors...

  • Do I feel comfortable in churches of other denominational contexts? Methodist, Presby terian, Church of Christ?

  • How many bible believing, Christ obeying, open and progressive congregations are there?

  • Who of all the baptist churches we know offer a good community environment in which to raise a family, while at the same time engaging the poor in its neighborhood, and honoring strong academic and theological study?

  • Which church offers a variety of worship styles, and balanced church musical leadership talent?

  • Which churches give me the courage to not 'check my thinking mind' in at the door?

  • Where is Christ, Lord, and where is the Holy Spirit reigning in the hearts of the people?

These conclusions from my observation enables me to be more courageous, and to face my own fears and clearly focus on what is truly important about Calvary, making it a church that I know without a doubt is the place that is worthy for me to fight for, for which I can take “courage”.

Calvary at its heart is a courageous church. Our courage has been evidenced by our focus on our community. We have stayed the course while others have left for the suburbs. Why? Because we believe in staying in touch with the poor and disenfranchised.

So, how do we foster courage amongst ourselves, I believe it is through the
spiritual gift of en-courage-ment.

How do I instill courage in others?

  • I can exhort my brothers and sisters to face their fears, to continue to carry on as a church emboldened by the Spirit of Christ—to “do all things through who strengthens her.”
  • I can deal with the divergent opinions of others without fear and with trust of the Spirit's reign in their lives.
  • I can dedicate myself to encourage others to be faithful in their giving and in their service through the church.
  • We must carry on the courageous tradition that has been at the heart of Calvary's mission...Service, Ministry, Relationships. The advancement of the Kingdom Community.

Let's hear the writer of Hebrews, in light of this focus on courage...from the Contemporary English Version.

"We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer." Heb. 10:24,25


So, friends, as we go about our duties as servants of Christ's church, let us also instill others to have courage, and to take courage ourselves. We are the church of the Living Christ. It is time we kept His Spirit in our hearts and together begin once again proclaiming the Good News, with courage.


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