top of page

Imperfect Ending

Church services end with a benediction.  The word benediction means, “good word.”  The sermon may be short on good words but churches try to end the service with a good word.


On April 28th, the benediction at Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach SC was not a good word.  The pastor, JP Miller, somehow managed to preach his sermon.  And then, to the shock of the congregation, he announced that his wife, Mica, had ended her life the night before.


Miller told the church that authorities had notified him late last night.  The pastor blamed his wife’s death on mental illness and a lack of access to medications.  Not much of a benediction.


As it turned out, Mica had served JP with divorce papers only a few days before taking her life.  She had told her attorney that she had been abused by him since they were married.  The abuse was physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and any other way imaginable.  Mica had warned her sister that if she took her life it was because of JP.


Mica’s death is not the only bad word for the church.  Concerns over financial impropriety, rumors of criminal charges against church staff have raised questions.  It all reminds us that churches are not perfect.  And we ministers are just as flawed as the flocks we lead.


The word gospel in Greek is “euangelion.”  It also means good news or good words.  We preachers are not the good news.  On our best days, we can only share a little bit of it.



--


Mark Ross

Comentarios


First Baptist Church La Feria,  208 S. Main St. La Feria, TX 78559  |  office.fbclf@gmail.com  |  Tel: 956-797-1214

 Opening Hours: Monday Wednesday Friday 10a-3p​​  ​Sunday: 9a-1p

©2024 by FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH LA FERIA

bottom of page