A candid dialogue with Archbishop, Dr. Michael A. West and his congregation about the future of faith, the need for balanced media reporting, and stronger neighborhood collaboration. Includes insights from a booklet project I helped re-edit, with excerpts and a link to the full work, Communicating Christ in Crisis.
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with a respected religious leader and several members of his congregation to discuss the future of faith, the need for more balanced media reporting, and stronger neighborhood collaboration. I also helped (Archbishop) Dr. Michael A. West with a booklet that had been edited incorrectly. The story was so compelling that I want to share excerpts with readers here.
After the excerpts, you’ll find a link to order your own copy of Communicating Christ in Crisis—a collection of prose and scripture by Pastor West that speaks about self awareness, life after Covid-19, navigating day-to-day challenges, and resilience in the wake of events like the devastating St. Louis tornado. The book offers guidance for coping with future tragedies as well. Without further ado, here is the excerpt from the book.
Communicating Christ in Crisis
Life: In These Times & Always
Dr. Michael A. West
Introduction:
Those of us who experienced the Covid era will agree that it was a time unlike any we had ever encountered or anticipated. Despite our differences—not just geographically—we faced a global crisis that affected everyone.
During this challenging period, I heard the Spirit of God speak to me, saying, “Those I have entrusted to your care, lead them through this time with My Word and My Spirit.” I committed myself to obeying this divine instruction as best as I could. Many sermons, teachings, and conversations were shared to enlighten, encourage, comfort, and inspire those under my spiritual guidance, as well as those who would discover us along this unfamiliar journey.
Within our spiritual community, there was also disagreement and divisive theological debate regarding how, as the Presiding Prelate, I was leading our broader church. Yet, faithful to God, I relied on spiritual discernment and remained committed to leading as directed—by The Word and My Spirit, says the Lord.
Following the mandate of both divine authority and earthly leadership, I made the decision to close the physical doors of the Temple, observing God’s Word that instructs us to “obey those who rule over you” (Hebrews 13:17). Despite opposition from within and outside our community, I continued to follow God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit, the divine and Supreme Being.
I was initially hesitant about using social media, especially Facebook, which I personally avoided in better times. However, it became a valuable tool for communicating Christ during this crisis. I thank God for the shift in perspective—changing our minds can lead to changing circumstances.
Facebook allowed our church and spiritual reformation to stay connected, thrive, and reach many more for Christ’s sake. From those difficult, unprecedented days in world history, I am grateful to share some of the thoughts that the Father has spoken through me to His people.
Blessings,
Michael West, PH.D.
Dedication
The Year 2023 signaled the 54th year I have been privileged to Shepherd the St. Michael Temple of the
Expanded Mind. A Spiritual Church of Truth.
During the decades I have been blessed to experience many valuable friendships and associations. However, during, Pandemics Period-Covid 19.
God has translated several noteworthy to the success of my ministry to the realm of glory!
It is to these that I dedicate this work!
IN LOVING MEMORY
Condrea Lee Croft: Trusted Confidante, Office Charge Person for 30 Years
Carole Blocker: Strong Supportive Parishioner/ Childhood Friend
Sharon French Owens: Dedicated Member of Mission Board
Deborah Latchison-Mason: Prolific Writer/Author, Personal Literary Asst.
And To All Others That Went To God During This Period!
The Blessing of Crisis
‘Before I was afflicted, I went astray:
But now have I kept thy word.
It was good for me that I have been afflicted:
That I might learn thy statutes.
Psalm 119:67:71
When we think of ‘Crisis’ we can image hurt, humiliation, causes the make for suffering. Pain often seems beyond our endurance. One would think that as God’s people, that the ability of our call and mission would not allow for such encounters and occurrences such as we are experiencing.
However, I am led to look and examine this phenomenon antithetically i.e. Good Affliction there are those that believe “God Put It on Us’, Others ‘Devil Put It on Us.’’
I contend that whatever the Source, Crisis Comes to Elevate Us! It can be the catalyst of our elevation.
Covid -19 is seen by many as just the beginning of so much that is going to happen.
It is believed that one form of crisis or another will persist for ’10 years’ for the purpose of restoring balance and harmony.
We are being forced to feel the powerlessness and hopelessness that constitute victimhood!
Every person, (I’d venture to say) is leaving their false sense of control removed from them this period of time .
What are some of the things that this Covid-19 Pandemic is showing us?
These times most definitely show us
The fragility of life
The interconnectedness of all life
That we exist beyond the boundaries of nations, ideology, sexual identity, race, religion, and socioeconomic background.
This ‘crisis’ is waking us up to the reality of oneness.
We are definitely growing in our empathy and in our capacity for connection.
Everything we took for granted, all our sense of entitlement we had, and whatever we considered normal before, is now gone out of the window.
We are now in the midst of (consciously or unconsciously) trying to redefine what it actually means to be human.
We can no longer just identify with what is outside of us as our truth as to who we are.
Many people (certainly those who possess wisdom) are doing a complete evaluation of life as it pertains to them.
No one can go through a crisis and not undergo some form of self-evaluation.
Even people who don’t want to be aware are being
This ‘crisis’ is waking us up to the reality of oneness.
We are definitely growing in our empathy and in our capacity for connection.
Everything we took for granted, all our sense of entitlement we had, and whatever we considered normal before, is now gone out of the window.
We are now in the midst of (consciously or unconsciously) trying to redefine what it actually means to be human.
We can no longer just identify with what is outside of us as our truth as to who we are.
Many people (certainly those who possess wisdom) are doing a complete evaluation of life as it pertains to them.
No one can go through a crisis and not undergo some form of self-evaluation.
Even people who don’t want to be aware are being made aware of how in denial they are.
Corinthians 11:27- So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
Corinthians 13:5-Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course. You fail the test.
1 Corinthians 11:31 – But if we are more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgement.
The period in our history has made men & women humbling themselves, numbing themselves, or running away with themselves.
What we should be doing is examining ourselves.
How may you ask?
Now is the time to think: a) What is my Purpose for lviving?
How am I spending my time?
How am I really doing?
With the coming of the crisis, with our living in and through the crisis.
We have come to discover what matters the most.
Many of us now know that time is a very real commodity; How we spend it determines how well we’ve lived or whether we have just been chasing things outside ourselves and living for ‘trinkets of separation.
If we are living solely for all these external milestones alone, that we have been made to believe are important, then we like the prodigal son are wasting our time and our substance on riotous living. Luke 15:18
#2
The Adequacy of Pure Self
‘What is man that thou art mindful of him?
And the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou hast made him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet…….” Psalm 8:4-6b
‘For thou hast possessed my reigns: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully & wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works.’ Psalm 139: 1314
‘But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9
God’s Holy Word leads us to an unveiling of ‘Pure Self’, Not just ‘self’ but as God intended and created us to be. Not void of him, but dependent upon him in conjunction with the creativity he placed within us.
To order the complete book click link below and make a donation and leave info to receive a copy. No amount is too small.
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St. Michaels Temple Church
6520 Arsenal St, St. Louis, MO 63139
Phone: (314) 371-0740
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