I was especially inspired by a component of this past weekend's spring meeting of the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association. Of course, it helped that Shiloh's own Jay McMillen serves as Association chair of the team that developed this particular part of spring meeting. The Church Development Team, that group which Jay chairs, offered a panel discussion entitled "Living the Benediction."
"Living the Benediction" was a presentation of new revitalizing initiatives from three of SONKA's congregation. Philippus UCC in Cincinnati, shared its new ministry of facility utilization that opens the congregation as a resource in its troubled community. Truth and Destiny shared its new ministry to transgender persons and communities, providing a safe and loving environment for shared ministry, service and support. First UCC, Cincinnati, shared its ministry of housing homeless families through a weekend once per month.
Each story was remarkable. One was told from the perspective of what was, for all intents and purposes, a dying congregation. Another was told by a new congregation. The third demonstrated a focus that had begun in the congregation somewhere around fifteen years earlier. In each case, the congregations have been enlivened and re-energized. Their niche ministries have breathed new life into their church and communities.
While I found each of the stories meaningful and exciting, what I most appreciated about the presentation was the basic notion of "Living the Benediction." What does it mean for our congregations to live the benediction? By the way, what is a benediction?
In good liturgical design, there are five essential parts of worship:
We Gather (But we gather in the old life of community and family and vocation)
We Die to the Old Life (We give up the old ways, emptying ourselves)
We Receive New Life (The void in us is filled with God's Word)
We Accept the New Life (We embrace God's Word as course for new life)
We Go Out and Serve in the New Life (We complete God's praise in ministry and service)
Part of that final act of liturgical worship is the "Benediction." In Shiloh's liturgical design, we call it "The Blessing." It is the promise that, as we go forth in ministry and service, God's spirit goes with us, strengthening us and guiding us in paths of faithful service.It is the notion that the congregation goes out to intentionally live out God's Word, God's will, forming God's reign and claiming God's realm.
To live out the benediction means to intentionally act to embody God's Word and will in acts and words that reflect that new life. Congregations like Philippus, First UCC and Truth and Destiny have surely embraced the new life and found ways to live the benediction. What an inspirational approach to telling the good news of what is taking place throughout SONKA! Thanks to the Association's Church Development Team and a great big way to go to our own Jay McMillen!
Now, how is Shiloh "Living the Benediction?" How might this congregation do more to intentionally embrace the new life of Christ?
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