Hi, my name is Heather Buchta, and I have been part of the Rock Covenant Church since 2004. I love Jesus, writing books, and obstacle course racing. Many times, non-racing friends will ask, “Why don’t you go on American Ninja Warrior?” It always tickles my heart that friends believe in me like that. However, there is a trick that most of us normal folks miss. ANW competitors are so talented at obstacles that they make it look effortless. You see them on television swinging like a weightless monkey, but most of us on the same course would be a sack of slippery potatoes. You don’t see their hours off screen, and the all-consuming training. They are, what I call, “next level.” Our pastor Curt Beeson reminds me of those athletes, but in a spiritual way.

In the course of 29 years of full-time ministry, Curt has ministered tirelessly. He’s raised five children with his amazing wife, moved his family from Northern California down to the South Bay, and been a steady pillar in a time of pastoral transition. He’s coached high school teams, supported his children’s collegiate lives and sports, and led bible studies and theology groups. He’s built houses in Mexico and traveled on multiple ministry trips. Throughout these three decades, Curt has never taken an extended Sabbatical. We, as the church, would like to offer him a time of restoration and rejuvenation.

So why an extended break? After all, many of us have raised families with limited times of vacation as well; but Curt has the added burden of caring for the spiritual well-being of his entire church. Not the building, but the people. Who is struggling that he doesn’t pray for? Who needs help with rides to church or a doctor’s office or needs companionship in a hospital who he doesn’t show up for? Who speaks to the school board and church board and unruly neighbors and new faces at church each week? Who has sipped countless coffees with anyone who’s had questions, doubts, ideas, or judgments? Who feels the weight of making sure the entire church body is well-cared for spiritually so that we may continue in our sanctification — our growing relationship with God?

It is not simply that he does this — for that is a pastor’s job. It’s that he has done this without ever making it look like a sacrifice. That brings me back to American Ninja Warrior. When they are competing, they make it look easy. We watch on TV and think, “I could do that!” Or we laugh when they fall off the first obstacle. Let me just tell you — those slanted steps are six feet apart, wobbly, wet, and when you land at an angle, it is not easy to aim for your next target! They make it look easy.

Similarly, Curt makes ministry look effortless. He doesn’t point out his fatigue, his stress, or tell you how hungry he is from fasting for you. Oh, you didn’t know? That’s because he treats it all with joy for the sake of our coming to love our Lord deeper.

We as the church would like to offer Curt a time of renewal so that he can “finish well.” We’d love to allow him the space to restore his body, mind, and spirit. We’d be honored to give him twelve weeks to reconnect with his wife and family, his love of reading, and the sport that has brought him joy through the years: golf. Simultaneously, we as the church will be engaging in teachings and practices that align with the spiritual truths he is exploring on his own, so that when we come together again, both Curt and the church will be renewed with a greater fervor for our Lord.

The Board has met with Curt and agreed to offer him a sabbatical in 2024. They came across the Lilly Endowment for pastors and decided it would be a worthy proposal to apply for on behalf of Curt. A team was chosen to come alongside Curt in the grant application process. The application is complete. Recipients will be announced in August. Let’s come alongside our pastor in prayer for this opportunity, and may we all train well for our own spiritual obstacle courses in life!

To learn more about this endowment, please CLICK HERE

“And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” - Mark 6:31


- Pastor Curt

Please take note of ways to gather for Sunday Service at The Rock:

1) We are meeting inside at Manhattan Beach Pre-School for our Sunday Service at 4:30 pm.

2) We will also be live on Facebook Live. CLICK HERE at 4:30 Sunday afternoon.

3) Finally we will provide a video link to the sermon on our website.

Theological Word of The Week:

resurrection

A rising from the dead into a new kind of life not subject to sickness, aging, deterioration, or death.

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology

Upcoming Events

Children's Ministry

Children can join Cameron every Sunday for Bible time during the service. They will go through the Bible story by story.

Sermon Topic - march 19

romans: the gospel changes perspectives

romans 9:30 - 10:4

“Who is righteous?”

A21-M22 Fiscal YTD