Dear HBIC Family,

I read something earlier today that was slightly stunning. Apparently, Americans are losing trust in almost all major institutions. This was only slightly stunning because it makes sense, anecdotally and even experientially. I have heard, seen, and felt the weight of major institutions letting down individuals and us as a society. The shock for me, though, was the consistent lack of “confidence” we, as a people, have in church (organized religion in general), government, healthcare institutions, companies, and much more.

The Gallup poll I read was quick to say that, while Americans have had eroding confidence in any kind of confidence in major institutions for at least a generation (since 1979), some of our levels are hitting historic lows. Now, among Christians, we have seen loudly documented how people are losing faith in the organized Church. The shock for me, though, was that, compared to just about every other institution besides “small businesses” and the military, the Church is actually not doing too bad. It’s bad, just not that bad. It’s like we need to patch up a lot of holes on the roof, but we still have a good foundation and don’t need an entirely new roof!

I continue to be struck with the similarities of Micah’s day and time to our own. Many of the societal problems Micah saw (God’s people’s lack of faithfulness, society built on backs of the poor, the rich getting richer, faith leaders leading the people astray, etc.), we are dealing with in our own way. Like the people Micah wrote about, we’re a people more obsessed with “me and mine” than living for each other and building what’s ours. This is why it’s important for us to continue to surrender to the Spirit as we live to do God’s justice, love as Christ loved, and walk in shalom with our God, our world, our sisters and brother, and even ourselves.

This week we will be continuing our Micah: Walk Humbly with Your God series by turning to chapter three of the book. Here, Micah boldly condemns the leaders of the institutions designed to care for the people. As you prepare for this week’s services, I would like to invite you to read and meditate on all of Micah 3. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:

• Where has your confidence in major public institutions eroded?
• How have you lost faith in the Church? How has that impacted your relationship with God?
• How is God calling you to be a voice for those oppressed by systems of power and privilege?
• What does it mean to walk humbly with God in this age of public distrust?
• How is God calling you to lead and witness to do justice for the oppressed in your daily life?

In many ways, Micah 3 brings us to the midst of the fire of the prophet’s loudest pronouncements and indictments. Micah fought for the oppressed by calling out civil and faith leaders. Micah put himself in the line of fire by speaking truth to power, unafraid of how that may have impacted his own life. Micah was faithful in his confidence in God, in his witness for his people, and in his testimony that proclaims the word God gave him to share.

My prayer for all of us this week is that we are learning from Micah’s example. We have all been tasked to do God’s justice. We have all been called to love like Christ loved. We are all commanded to walk humbly with our God, especially in a time like this. Sisters and brothers, may we be faithful as Micah was faithful, and may we continue to live and work for our God’s kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven!

God bless you all.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Hank (Micah 3:5)