Session Makes Decision Regarding Guns at CPC
In January 2016, the governing board of our congregation, the Session, voted unanimously to post signs on the church property, in accordance with Texas state law, to prohibit concealed and open carry guns on the premises.
The Session believes that they have acted in the best interests of the congregation. Their concern is for the volunteers at our Central Mission on Thursday mornings, for children who are upstairs above Smoot Hall while their parents attend ESL classes, for the staff during the course of the week, as well as for fellow worshippers who come to Sunday services expecting to find a safe place surrounded by symbols that point them to God. Believing that there is a time and place for everything, it is the opinion of the Session that church is not the best place for the presence of guns.
It can be assumed that not everyone in the congregation will necessarily agree with the Session’s decision. The truth is that there are probably many topics on which we might disagree. As your pastor, I urge us to remember that the basis of our unity is the call of Jesus Christ on our lives and our desire to respond to God’s love with lives of service to the world. The basis of our unity is not being of one mind on contemporary social and political issues.
As we build and strengthen this congregation, the Session and the staff want to nurture an environment where disagreement is expected and respected. In such an environment, mutual forbearance is a practical necessity if we are to be a thriving and life-giving community of faith. To that end, the Session is inviting all who have concerns about this decision to meet with them on Sunday, January 17th, in the church library after the 11:00 worship service. If you see this issue differently, this is your opportunity to express your point of view. We can grow in our respect for one another when we better understand how each of us has come to different conclusions. Our congregation’s commitment to diversity requires us to honor all people, including those with whom we may disagree regarding some of the important issues of the day.
Blessings,
Scott Opsahl