Christ in the City – Week 4: Presence in Our Pain
This week we will jump into presence with pain: our own and others. Joining us is Rev. Kyle Boer who will lead us in a discussion about presence with our own pain, drawing upon his experience as a counselor. Then, next week Richard Nelson will invite us into thinking about presence with other people’s pain. We encourage you to bring your companion journal as well as an open mind.
Kyle Boer, MDiv, LMSW, CAADC, is a licensed therapist and certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor who supports individuals, couples, and families through addiction, mental health challenges, relational conflict, and major life transitions. Kyle’s approach is compassionate, honest, and practical, helping clients better understand their patterns and take meaningful steps toward change. As an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America, he is also able to thoughtfully incorporate faith into counseling when clients desire that integration.
Broken Vessel, by Sam Gutierrez
In this piece, God’s grace (in the form of water) flows down from heaven and fills the individual human heart or entire body – represented by the broken vessel. The image could also be seen communally – the vessel is the church – a community of broken pieces gathered together and held together by God’s sustaining power. Water spills out through the cracks. Some people are hesitant to talk about or show their brokenness – but the gospel is clear: God’s grace is magnified in human weakness. The courageous call to the church in this moment is to stop seeking strength, power, and self-sufficiency and to instead humbly embrace its vulnerability and dependence upon God. When we do that, God’s grace naturally flows through the cracks into the community.
