Hello SPBC Family,

Many of you probably heard there was a lockdown incident at SPHS due to credible reports at the time. I will leave specifics to the authorities and other reporting pages to not add anymore to potential confusion, but thankfully ALL IS CLEAR.

I am writing… and this might be long. So, kudos to you if you read in entirety. But, if you want brief, here it is: “We are thermostats. Be the church.”

So, I’m writing for two reasons.

First, to open the communication lines. Some of you may not have heard, but there was also a community incident last week that included a family connected to our church through AHG, among several of our families personally knowing the specific family involved. Essentially, a student was missing for almost 24-hours, and after multiple community agencies and public reporting with several people praying, the student returned home safely. We are in touch with the family and ministering formally and informally. For those who do know the family, your prayers and contacts have been very meaningful to an overwhelming situation.

In these situations, navigating the balance between asking too many questions or saying too much vs staying back just to pray can be challenging. I simply suggest to you that as Christians we are called to carry burdens (Galatians 6:2). So, step gently in love and if an open door presents itself, keep walking as the feet and hands of Jesus.

In regard to this morning, about 9:30am looking out my office window a couple police cars sped down Benfield. A few minutes later my wife and I received a text from our daughter that the school was on lockdown for reasons you can imagine that happen far too frequently across our nation. Immediately, Pastor Bill & I walked to be present and pray as near we could the campus. We knew we didn’t have much to offer – I had the heart and Pastor Bill had the great hair and swift tennis feet, so we scurried down the sidewalk for however God would use us. We were some of the first adults to arrive before Benfield closed. We interacted with several families and spoke God’s peace.

In all, I/we are thankful for the first responders with prompt and overwhelmingly precise action. Their handling of the situation gave us confidence that the situation was being managed in good hands. Additionally, we are thankful for the amazing school staff and teachers. From our experience, the classrooms remained calm and the communication lines were open with texts and emails. Also, having a church member as a public school teacher with one of our daughters texting that she had an eye out for her gave us an added layer of comfort. Beyond parents, our school teachers are often on the front lines with students with the time they spend, and we would do well to keep them in prayer as they influence the next generation in all that’s going on these days.

So, I’m writing to inform and open communication as desired. But, I’m also writing to serve and shepherd. Our world is increasingly uncertain, chaotic, and even violent. People are stressed and struggling. So, how can I/we help?

Some of my interactions today with parents and their response to me was something like, “My faith helps me move forward.” As God’s people, there’s an unshakable confidence regardless of our circumstances. For me, I tell my kids every day: “Be strong and courageous, the LORD is with you.” Today was a reminder of how meaningful those words are when I dropped them off this morning.

But beyond hopes and prayers, I want to share at least a couple tools and advisements.

• Counseling (link): Our church website lists some recommended entities and resources for you in this area. Let us know if we can facilitate any communication on these items. Additionally, our elders are equipped and available for pastoral conversations, though at times may refer at various levels.
  
• True.Do.Renew. These 3 little words can help in times of anxiety or decision. Repeat them regularly and discuss with children and others having difficulty.
  
  *True: Discern the lies or what is false. Reaffirm in your heart what is real and true.
  
  **Regarding present incidents, consider debriefing with your child but be sure you’re doing much more listening than talking. Avoid being graphic or overly emotional, but providing some outlets for your child to talk, write, and share about their experiences and thoughts can be very helpful.
  
  *Do: Discern any actions, regardless of how simple, that you can take. You do not have to be paralyzed by fear.
  
  **Parents, discuss with your child various emergency plans for incidents like today or last week. Emergencies could be a house fire, a school evacuation, or any other number of incidents. Consider specific action points in differing scenarios, that might sound like hollywood hypotheticals… until they’re not. These are common happenings we must equip our children how to respond.
  
  *Renew: You are never alone. God is a prayer away. Friends can be present through phone or visit. Be intentional to renew your spirit through dedicated time in God’s word. And do not forsake the gathering of believers as you renew fellowship regularly to walk with one another in this journey of faith, hope, and love.
  
  **Parents, your child having positive peer interaction with those of like mind and faith is invaluable. I want to encourage you to re-double your efforts for your student (child or teen) to find ways to participate in our children or youth ministries.

Overall, the day that we fear most or least expect could be any day. No one is promised tomorrow. The only confidence we have in this life, or the one to come is in the LORD’s saving grace and sustaining peace. Again, please contact us if you have questions or want to discuss happenings in your life. And remember church, we are thermostats.