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Steve Bezner

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10 Aug, 12 tweets, 3 min read

For those wanting some good news about churches, religion, and our fair city, wanted to share some fun things from my day:

In the wake of George Floyd, a small group of clergy (Xian, Jewish, and Muslim) convened to brainstorm ideas about policing in our city.

We each wanted to talk through practical steps that could be taken to support LEOs, improve community relations, and take some steps towards reform.

We met a number of times across 2020 for hours at a time.

After a *lot* of meetings, we sent some recommendations to the city.

@SylvesterTurner

The city put together a task force and brought recommendation to the mayor on steps they wanted to take—and included our suggestions. @SylvesterTurner’s office took the task force report, appointed an independent oversight board, and they began implementation.

Today, the mayor invited faith leaders from the city to hear some updates on the progress. The oversight board, led by Crystal Okorafor to lead out. They have made significant progress on all of the 100+ recs made by the task force.

houstontx.gov/policing-refor…

Some of the things Ms. Okorafor highlighted: digital dashboards where citizens can file policing complaints that will then be directed to the board, HPD’s decision to release any body camera footage that is requested within 30 days, LEO/congregational connection being fostered.

In addition, this led to the creation of a multi-faith advisory board for (relatively) new HPD chief, Troy Finner. Today that group got to meet with the chief and hear some of his heart and items clergy/congregations can do to assist HPD officers.

For example: HPD has about 5100 officers and it is estimated approximate 25% of all LEOs nationwide have symptoms of PTSD. If that bears out in Houston, that’s approx 1300 officers. Each of those officers needs to be able to receive counseling.

Obviously, the city doesn’t have the resources to address such a need. So the multi-faith advisory board is looking at ways to come beside the city and HPD to help address this problem.

The bottom line: I got to the end of my day reminded that there is a host of ministry to be done in our cities if we will be willing to serve and come alongside of our municipalities as ones willing to bring solutions. The congregations willing to serve and help always stand out.

Lots and lots of meetings and lots of lots of hours went into these things that came to fruition today. I was involved in a small piece. But it was really exciting and gratifying to see what can transpire in the city when churches decide to engage and assist the city.

So, if there is any takeaway, it is this: Do good ministry *within* your church, to be sure, but don’t forget to look for ways to serve your city and community *outside* your church, even if it isn’t immediately for your own benefit.

Love my city and the way that she works together for the common good. Excited for the days ahead. Let’s all serve in the name of Jesus and His Kingdom. #WeLoveHOU #KingdomPeople

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More from @Bezner

Steve Bezner

@Bezner

22 Apr

Wrapping up 1 Samuel this morning.

Struck by David’s acknowledgement of Saul being the Lord’s anointed, despite Saul’s numerous foibles and follies.

David somehow trusted that God was working a purpose, despite Saul’s instability—allowing God to work on His timetable.

David had already been anointed as the next king. He seems to have every right to kill Saul in the cave or in the camp.

But he is “the LORD’s anointed.”

David trusted God was doing work he could not see—even though it forced him to live in the wilderness as a raiding fugitive.

And yet—David waits for God’s timing.

For God to end Saul’s reign and David’s time in the wilderness.

For God to enthrone David and to declare that the next season has begun.

I want to be marked with such patient trust.

Read 4 tweets

Steve Bezner

@Bezner

21 Apr

May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.—1 Sam 24:12

David refused to participate in vengeance towards Saul. He trusted God’s justice.

Hard as it is, let us actively love and entrust vengeance to God.

In those moments when I want to lash out, to go after the jugular of the one I perceive to be my enemy, I remember:

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.—1 Peter 2:23

I am sometimes surprised, as someone who despises conflict and actively works to avoid it, how easy it is to end up in a heart posture of wanting to lash out at someone who has hurt me personally.

Learning to trust God’s hand has been difficult.

Read 5 tweets

Steve Bezner

@Bezner

27 Feb

Love, a 🧵: I can’t speak for other religions, but, when it comes to Christianity, those who describe themselves as theologically “orthodox” (creedal? conservative?) ought to be among the most loving people in the world and should increase in said love across their—er, our—lives.

Christians in this theological vein believe that we have been given the greatest gift imaginable—we were due to receive condemnation but through the miraculous grace of God, we were rescued through the interposition of Jesus. Through Jesus we get a new life! This is the gospel.

This means that I love everyone. And I mean EVERYONE. I’m friends with Jews and Muslims and atheists. I’m friends with gay and lesbian and trans and straight. I’m friends with folks on the far left and the far right. I love them all. Because that’s the love given to me by God.

Read 13 tweets

Steve Bezner

@Bezner

26 Feb

🧵I hold to what some might call a “traditional” biblical sexual ethic. I’ve come to this conclusion after reading multiple sources (across disciplines and decades), doing the work in the biblical languages/culture, etc.

I also understand that others think I am completely wrong.

I know Western culture outside the church broadly disagrees with my position. I understand the reasoning (usually based on the inherent right of individual actualization).

And, in a pluralistic society, I can understand why such a position should be allowed and protected.

I also understand that many *within* the church would disagree with me. Most of them would argue my hermeneutics are either a) obsolete due to culture or b) misreadings of the biblical text.

This is (and has been) playing out in multiple denominations and traditions.

Read 6 tweets

Steve Bezner

@Bezner

14 Feb

Up later than normal for me on a Saturday night, but just now having a chance to put down a few thoughts re: why evangelicalism has a habit of producing leaders who flame out. A few ideas:

1. “Success” is celebrated more than “faithfulness.” And “success” is almost always measured by the size of the gathering.

2. Speed is celebrated more than patience. In other words a church that “blows up” “overnight” will gain more notoriety than a church that grows a substantial ministry over years, decades, or even generations.

Read 22 tweets

Steve Bezner

@Bezner

10 Feb

Women in Ministry, a 🧵: Over the last two years, my elders and I have been on a deep dive in order to better understand the role of women within the New Testament in order to provide clear guidance to our congregation, specifically the women in our congregation.

As a result, I read and re-read a number of books, commentaries and articles on the topic. I was reminded of a *number* of points I had forgotten, and I discovered a *host* of points I had never seen or heard.

In the end, such wide reading was extremely beneficial.

Wide reading helped me to more charitably understand the position of people I had previously disagreed with on this topic. Seeing their exegesis and reasoning up close helped me to become gracious. While disagreeing, I could *understand* why they reached their conclusions.

Read 8 tweets

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