On the roofline of possibility

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Nov. 20, 2025

By Rev. Riz Prakasim

Some men came, bringing to Jesus a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. – Mark 2:3-4

Dear Church,

Peace be with you. Over the past several weeks, we’ve been talking a lot about transformation—about caterpillars becoming butterflies, about shedding what no longer gives life, and about learning to stretch our wings for flight. In Mark 2, a group of determined friends break through a roof to bring someone to Jesus.

They faced obstacles. They faced crowds. They faced a situation where the usual path was completely blocked. And instead of giving up, they looked up, climbed up, and opened a brand-new way. Their holy imagination refused to accept limits.

In this season of transition, I can’t help but wonder if this is exactly where God has placed us: on the roofline of possibility, looking at what has always been and daring to imagine what could be.

What if now is our moment to “take the roof off” our ministry?

What if this new union between New Life and Falcon Heights isn’t just practical or administrative, but deeply spiritual, a chrysalis moment where something new emerges?

When a butterfly breaks free, it cannot stay still. It was made to travel farther than the caterpillar ever could. It carries memory in its wings, but it also carries momentum. That is the energy of the Holy Spirit guiding us now: honoring the past while inviting us to dream bigger than ever before.

So let your imagination roam for a moment…

What new ministries become possible when the roof is gone?

–Creation-care and climate justice: solar partnerships, repair clinics, community gardens, education around sustainable living.
–Reconciliation work: anti-racism learning, interfaith conversations, youth peace-building, and spaces for community healing.
–Compassion-focused ministries: outreach to unhoused neighbors, support for immigrant families, companionship for isolated elders, care for LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
–Arts and storytelling: creative expression, community concerts, visual arts, and shared spaces that uplift the beauty and diversity of our neighborhoods.
–Mental health and community resilience: caregiver support circles, grief groups, mindfulness practices, and mentoring for young leaders.

These possibilities aren’t far-off dreams. They are the kinds of ministries that become possible when two congregations unite their gifts, passions, and callings.

As we prepare to build something new, we do so knowing Christ is already “in the house.” And with the roof gone, there is no limit but our imagination.

May we be the roof-breakers this world needs.
May we be the butterfly people God is forming us to be.
And may the Spirit guide us into a future where the sky truly is the limit.