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A message from Pastor Matthew Poock

By Pastor Matthew Poock

I have been married for almost half a year and have been a pastor for slightly longer than that. So, naturally, it’s time to ponder the really big questions of life. For example, what if my way of doing things — laundry, dishwashing, leading worship, planning lock-ins, etc. — is not the “right” way? How do you know you’re right? Is anyone ever right, or is there only difference and opinion?

Or… when is it time to speak — either to my partner or to a person in the hospital — and when is it time to be silent? When should I ask a question; when should I give advice? How do you best love someone in words and actions?

And not to overlook the day-to-day big questions: When should I use black ink, when should I use blue ink? Is there still an occasion to use a pencil? Should I write everything in pencil, so that I can be prepared to change my mind or my schedule?

Most of us have a tendency to want answers. But some questions are better left without answers. Beautiful questions create passion and fuel curiosity. One of my college pastors often said, “There is more grace in a good question than in its answer.” Is there such a thing as a dumb question?

Here is a question worth pondering: What makes the world go ’round? Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a variety of responses (but not really “answers”). This is a good question, because it helps us discover our passions and think about how we find meaning and purpose. The way in which people respond to this question often reveals what it is that they value most in life.

Some people would say that physics makes the world go ’round — an enlightened response, but not very poetic. In contrast, others would say that music makes the world go ’round. A new accordion-driven show in Branson, Missouri, is making this claim and taking audiences on a world tour through music. Some people would say that money makes the world go ’round.

Of all possible responses, the most popular might be “love”: Love makes the world go ’round. Whether you’ve heard songs of this title from the musical Carnival! or from Perry Como, Paul Anka, Deon Jackson, Madonna, or even Ashlee Simpson, we are familiar with the phrase. How many songs talk about the glory, and the pain, of love! “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love.” “Love lifts us up where we belong.” “All you need is love.”

Every Feb. 14, the economy gets a boost from the sale of flowers, candy, jewelry, and the like. Most of us participate in Valentine’s Day, like it or not, because we know something of the beauty and power of love. Love makes the world go ’round largely because love is about people, and God. Through our words and actions, love is manifest in relationships with others.

The big question that has really been on the forefront of my mind lately is this: What makes St. Paul Lutheran Church go ’round? We are a congregation centered in the love of God in Jesus Christ, but what makes us spin? Is it programming for children and youth? Is it our music? Our building? Adult learning courses? Worship services? Yes… and more. Perhaps it’s people like you. One of our greatest values is Christian community, connections, relationships of love and care, and everything that supports this. St. Paul Lutheran Church is people. But it’s even more than people. It’s an openness… a vibrancy… a vitality… a culture and its spirit. To no one’s credit and to all our credit, the Spirit is at work in our midst. What do you think?

And how about you? Where is your center? What makes your world go ’round?

Pastor Matthew Poock,

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