March-April 2007, The Presbyterian SUN
Vision and vitality.
Those key words focused the discussion at a national gathering of presbytery and synod representatives in Albuquerque in February where I was asked to preach. The event, called Communion and Conversations, prompted me to hope that vision and vitality are key words for congregations right now as well.
Many of us are at transitional moments. Included here is an adaptation of what that gathering from middle governing bodies heard. Perhaps it will help your congregation plan for the future.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) needs a vision of itself as a healthy church. Bartimaeus needed sight (Mark 10:46-52). When Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus answered with clarity, "I want to see again!"
He had a vision of the vision. When Jesus asks you and me that question, I do not think many of us can respond with clarity.
We have some visual problems, some blind spots. One blind spot is named anxiety. We Presbyterians are a pretty anxious group these days.
Change is occurring; we did not ask for it. We do not understand it. We wish things were just the way they ‘used to be’ (applying selective memory of course!). We are anxious and trust runs amuck! Lack of trust is eroding our ability to act in faith.
Another blind spot is fear of the unknown. Robert Raines reminds us that, like Abraham experienced, "Faith is going out not knowing." Admittedly, we do not much care for this. It is not fun.
With my temperament of Myers Briggs "J," I do not like going out not knowing. I’m not always fond of change. We have a lot of work to do in governing bodies these days, but I really like the piece of the pie that is in front of me called the Synod of the Sun. It’s known. It’s familiar. It’s comfortable.
Some of you remember that poster from the sixties with a picture of the caterpillar, cocoon, and butterfly with the words, "You can fly, but that cocoon has got to go."
For the record, letting go of ‘the known’ is not easy. Fear moves in.
We must learn from the outsider, Bartimaeus, and speak with clarity of vision. How will we answer Jesus’ question to each of us right now? What do we want Jesus to do for us? What is our answer? What is our vision? We must wrestle with this.
At times like this, I wish the "wise ones" to come in and tell us what to do. But then I remember the variety of people God calls. The disciples bickered about who Jesus liked best, continually missed the message he was giving, and literally rocked the boat with fear. But Jesus called them and used them.
It is our time to step up, to catch the vision and then move with faith to enable the reign of God. This is scary. We are the grownups now. Let’s get with the program. Let’s shed the cocoon and speak our answer to the question.
What do we want Jesus to do for us?
The Presbyterian Church (USA) needs a vision of itself as a healthy church. Bartimaeus needed sight (Mark 10:46-52). When Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus answered with clarity, "I want to see again!"
He had a vision of the vision. When Jesus asks you and me that question, I do not think many of us can respond with clarity.
We have some visual problems, some blind spots. One blind spot is named anxiety. We Presbyterians are a pretty anxious group these days.
Change is occurring; we did not ask for it. We do not understand it. We wish things were just the way they ‘used to be’ (applying selective memory of course!). We are anxious and trust runs amuck! Lack of trust is eroding our ability to act in faith.
Another blind spot is fear of the unknown. Robert Raines reminds us that, like Abraham experienced, "Faith is going out not knowing." Admittedly, we do not much care for this. It is not fun.
With my temperament of Myers Briggs "J," I do not like going out not knowing. I’m not always fond of change. We have a lot of work to do in governing bodies these days, but I really like the piece of the pie that is in front of me called the Synod of the Sun. It’s known. It’s familiar. It’s comfortable.
Some of you remember that poster from the sixties with a picture of the caterpillar, cocoon, and butterfly with the words, "You can fly, but that cocoon has got to go."
For the record, letting go of ‘the known’ is not easy. Fear moves in.
We must learn from the outsider, Bartimaeus, and speak with clarity of vision. How will we answer Jesus’ question to each of us right now? What do we want Jesus to do for us? What is our answer? What is our vision? We must wrestle with this.
At times like this, I wish the "wise ones" to come in and tell us what to do. But then I remember the variety of people God calls. The disciples bickered about who Jesus liked best, continually missed the message he was giving, and literally rocked the boat with fear. But Jesus called them and used them.
It is our time to step up, to catch the vision and then move with faith to enable the reign of God. This is scary. We are the grownups now. Let’s get with the program. Let’s shed the cocoon and speak our answer to the question.
What do we want Jesus to do for us?
Shalom/Salaam,
Judy
Judy
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