Sometimes we pastors get it wrong.  I joke about the one time I didn’t say “Happy Mother’s Day.”  I heard about it.   It was probably my first mother’s day behind a pulpit, and let’s just say I haven’t made that mistake since 1996.

I remember when I was a young person watching the youth minister of the church carry a stick with her up to the chancel where she was about to lead the children’s message.  She never referenced the stick.  It was odd.  I get it now.  She probably meant to reference it- but sometimes (most times) the children’s message goes off in a direction you weren’t planning.  I have had many ‘stick’ moments in my years.

This past Sunday was Memorial Day.  However, I didn’t have a Memorial Day themed worship service planned.  It was an oversight.  Typically we’d sing patriotic hymns and the theme of the sermon would have something to do with sacrifice and service.

The planning for the service on May 26 was done months ago.  Literally every Sunday before and after, for several weeks was accounted for, and I wanted to incorporate the music and lyrics of Jesus Christ Superstar into a worship service.  I have tried to do things that were different on the last Sunday of the month.  Usually, this has been with success (good attendance and positive reviews).  May 26, Jesus Christ Superstar Sunday, was met with similar success.  However, there were a couple of negative reviews as well.  “Jesus Christ Superstar Sunday should not have been on the Sunday before Memorial Day.”

This was not planned or meant to disrespect the honor and legacy of veterans.  It was an oversight of calendar planning.  Honestly, when I planned the service, every other Sunday before the summer services was booked with other special worship.  Yes, sometimes we get it wrong.  With the choir on summer hiatus, I should have waited until the fall.

While reflecting on my apology, I questioned whether to offer a line of defense.  I will share some residual thoughts..

We have a wonderful music ministry in this church, and from a pastoral perspective, I really want to take advantage of their gifts.  Many people love JCS and I saw it as a vehicle for Derek and the choir to put their gifts on full display.  The music ministry of this church allows me to do things I haven’t had the opportunity to do in a very long time.  The willingness of the congregation to go along with these ideas is a rare gift.

I don’t always exercise patience.  I had this idea, which our worship leaders loved, and wanted to do it before the summer.  I know what happens in the summer.  The choir and Sunday school goes on hiatus for the summer, and attendance in general drops.   I couldn’t lead this service in the summer months, and if I did, fewer people would participate.

I want to get people to come to worship.  Memorial Day weekend, the Sunday after Easter, and the last Sunday in August (and Labor Day weekend), are traditionally really down Sundays for worship attendance.  In the past year we have hosted, Christmas in July, Camp Sunday, Souperbowl Sunday, U2 Sunday, Holy Humor Sunday,and now a Jesus Christ Superstar Sunday, and I understand that attendance has been higher than the traditional worship of those Sundays.

I am not a contemporary worship leader, but I am a fan of making worship more  contemporary, and really do try to honor our traditions, while creating meaning.  I now understand that a least a few people were not fans of doing something different on Memorial Day weekend, so I will certainly take that into advisement for next year.

Another thought-  I really do appreciate you sharing with me your thoughts and concerns, even if I don’t like them, or they make me uncomfortable.  If you bring them up to me- then we can talk about them.  Maybe, just maybe, it will help you and I to come to an understanding.  I try my hardest not to ‘throw people under the bus’ (meaning, I want to take responsibility and not blame others)- but what I would like from others is– your opinion.  We shouldn’t speak on behalf of others.  If someone else is unhappy, let them share their thoughts with me.  I can’t say, “the Deacons feel this way…, or the Trustees feel this way.”

Finally, and again- I am sorry if I offended anyone by not singing patriotic hymns on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.