Cultivating Resilience in a Changing Season: Encouragement for the Church Community

Dear Friends in Christ,

Lately, I have been thinking about the word “resilience.” A simple search of the definition of resilience finds that it is the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, or stress and is the process of "bouncing back" from difficult experiences (American Psychological Association).

Perhaps it is because I have recently reconnected on WhatsApp with my former college classmates, especially those who used to be part of our Student Christian Movement in Pretoria, South Africa. They have just held a reunion, and they have sent me pictures and videos of their good time together.

As their former leader, I was proud to see that they have survived the horrors and oppression of Apartheid, and have come out on the other side alive and well, and still praising God. Seeing them together, singing triumphantly, inspired me to remember that power is transitory and injustice does not have the final word. God has the final word.

As autumn leaves begin to fall in some parts of the country and the world around us keeps changing, so too do many of the realities we face as the church of Jesus Christ, including here at Mission Presbytery.

Difficult membership shifts, raging cultural divides, and changing expectations can leave us feeling disoriented and uncertain. In moments like these, it’s easy to worry or long for what once was. Yet, like my former classmates, our story - rooted in God’s unchanging love - is one of resilience and hope.

Throughout Scripture, God’s people met upheaval and uncertainty not by retreating into denial or staying on the treadmill of despair, but by seeking God’s presence and trusting that even in the wilderness, new life could emerge. Whether in exile, facing persecution, or adapting to a new context, God’s faithfulness led the way.

The early church, too, found its greatest strength not from power or privilege, but from deepening its community, practicing hospitality, and sharing hope with a world in need. This hospitality is what my wife and I experience whenever we visit congregations here at Mission Presbytery. It’s wonderful!

Today, God calls us to similar courage: to be honest about the challenges we face, to support each other in times of loss, and to celebrate the signs of new life that spring up even now. Resilience isn’t about pretending we have all the answers; it’s about trusting that the Holy Spirit is still at work, guiding us into fresh expressions of faith, service, and belonging.

As Presbyterians, we’re blessed with a strong sense of connection. Our local churches are part of a larger family, organized into six regions: Austin, Corpus Christi, Hill Country, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and Victoria. We all share wisdom and resources as we journey together. Now is the time to lean into that connection, draw on the prayers of our siblings in Christ, and discover what it means to be the church in new and unexpected ways. Let us remember that our resilience is a gift from God.

In this changing season, and challenging times, let us continue to listen deeply, welcome generously, and serve faithfully. Here at Mission Presbytery and beyond, let us be gentle with ourselves and one another, trusting that God is using even this season to shape us for what’s next. Above all, let’s not lose sight of the One who goes before us, whose love endures through every storm and whose resurrection promises that the best is yet to come. The God of justice and peace is with us, and will remain with us always.

With hope and gratitude,

Rev. Bobby Musengwa

Transitional General Presbyter