Every moment is rife with opportunity to express God's grace. I have said it a thousand times. God has granted us the empowerment of God's Spirit in order to allow us the possibility of acting and speaking from God's will. Sometimes, however, imagining God's grace is difficult.
There are occasions that invite defensiveness, protectionism, even fear. These uncomfortable situations often force us into previously uncharted territory, taking us beyond zones of comfort and seemingly light years from the familiar. The hairs on the napes of our necks stand at attention. Muscles tighten. Stress heightens. Sweat begins to trickle. Heart rates increase and we begin to pull away.
I get it. I was forced into one of those uncomfortable situations yesterday. I will not bore you with the details, but I was made to feel incredibly uncomfortable and was, on the rarest of occasions, at a complete loss for words. I found myself taking a defensive posture. I blamed it on the person who invited me in to the discomfort. "Why would anyone do that to another person?" I asked myself. "What was to be gained by being so confronted?"
The better questions may well have been, "How can I act and speak graciously in this incident? How can I express God's will?"
But I did not. I simply remained silent.
I understand just how difficult it can be to express God's grace in uncomfortable situations. I get that it is nearly impossible to rest myself in the power of God's Spirit in real life occasions.
Is it beyond reasonable expectation, then, for us to represent God's grace in the real world? Would we not be better served by simply accepting our flawed selves, flawed actions and flawed speech?
I hardly think so. On the contrary, it is when we have been placed in a difficult situation and failed to act or speak with God's grace that we learn what better to do the time such a situation should arise. Reflection on real-life shortcomings better prepares us for subsequent real-life opportunity.
Bring on the heightened pulse, the tendency to want to turn and go, the fear and regret of failed opportunity. They teach us. They teach me. Perhaps, next time, I can better represent God's grace.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
A Crisis of Call
The recent ordination of Adam Wirrig reminded me of a conversation that a group of clergy, and other church leaders, had at this past year's General Synod meeting, held in Long Beach, California. It began as a casual gathering that followed the day's planned agenda.
The question was this: What is the greatest challenge that United Church of Christ congregations face as we seek to make transition from a traditional to a progressive church model?
Before tracing the course of the conversation, and before sharing possible outcomes, let me first write a few lines about the basic assumption. The question itself assumes that local UCC congregations will have to make transition from traditional to progressive church models. It implies that each level of the denomination, inclusive of the local church, will have to retool. If any level should fail to do so, it is likely to disappear. This includes local congregations. Historians among us can now discern in the cultural patterns around and within the Church universal the kind of seismic shift that we have learned to expect every 500 or so years. It is inevitable. It is evolutionary. Despite the best efforts of those in the right wing religious movements around the world and throughout religious traditions, it will not be stopped. The world has changed, is changing, and will change yet. In order for religious traditions to remain relevant to our culture, they will have to change as well.
Each of us involved in the conversation shared the basic assumption, to one degree or another. So, we asked, what are the major challenges that the church faces as we make such transition? Love of traditional behaviors and beliefs was mentioned. Fear of the unknown was a contender for the greatest challenge, as were lack of participants, lack of dollars and a general malaise that seems to have closed over our congregations over the course of the past several decades. We are feeling defeated, as if we are doing something wrongly. The Church is no longer popular. It is no longer at the core of cultural and societal consideration. Fewer and fewer take part. Less and less financial power underlies our messages and supports out crumbling facilities.
Where did we go wrong? What mistakes led to this crisis? Whom can we blame?
One person, who sat rather on the periphery of the conversation, had not said a word. When she finally spoke, however, she seemed to sum up the crisis of the religious world. "Maybe," she said, "There is a crisis of call in our congregations that keeps us from doing anything about the situation. Maybe we should work on helping people understand their empowerment and their call to service and ministry."
Silence ensued, each of us lost in thought as we considered the simple brilliance of what she had said. Maybe there is a crisis of calling that keeps the Church from engaging in the mission and ministry to which it is called. Maybe we need to work on the core issues of empowerment, call and vocation. Brilliant!
As we wrote Adam's ordination service, then, the main effort was to create a service that invited every person in attendance to feel a sense of his or her own calling.Ordination was about Adam that day, but calling and ministry belongs to each of us every day. So, at the end of the service, when the Discovery Team sang "Go Light Your World," the candle of call and ministry was passed to each of us, to all of us. Adam led the way into the world, but we each went forth, bearing our own light.
Undoing the crisis of call in our congregations is perhaps the most powerful means by which we might make transition to the church that will become. Maybe this is the spiritual evolution to which our culture is bringing us. If so, thanks be to God.
The question was this: What is the greatest challenge that United Church of Christ congregations face as we seek to make transition from a traditional to a progressive church model?
Before tracing the course of the conversation, and before sharing possible outcomes, let me first write a few lines about the basic assumption. The question itself assumes that local UCC congregations will have to make transition from traditional to progressive church models. It implies that each level of the denomination, inclusive of the local church, will have to retool. If any level should fail to do so, it is likely to disappear. This includes local congregations. Historians among us can now discern in the cultural patterns around and within the Church universal the kind of seismic shift that we have learned to expect every 500 or so years. It is inevitable. It is evolutionary. Despite the best efforts of those in the right wing religious movements around the world and throughout religious traditions, it will not be stopped. The world has changed, is changing, and will change yet. In order for religious traditions to remain relevant to our culture, they will have to change as well.
Each of us involved in the conversation shared the basic assumption, to one degree or another. So, we asked, what are the major challenges that the church faces as we make such transition? Love of traditional behaviors and beliefs was mentioned. Fear of the unknown was a contender for the greatest challenge, as were lack of participants, lack of dollars and a general malaise that seems to have closed over our congregations over the course of the past several decades. We are feeling defeated, as if we are doing something wrongly. The Church is no longer popular. It is no longer at the core of cultural and societal consideration. Fewer and fewer take part. Less and less financial power underlies our messages and supports out crumbling facilities.
Where did we go wrong? What mistakes led to this crisis? Whom can we blame?
One person, who sat rather on the periphery of the conversation, had not said a word. When she finally spoke, however, she seemed to sum up the crisis of the religious world. "Maybe," she said, "There is a crisis of call in our congregations that keeps us from doing anything about the situation. Maybe we should work on helping people understand their empowerment and their call to service and ministry."
Silence ensued, each of us lost in thought as we considered the simple brilliance of what she had said. Maybe there is a crisis of calling that keeps the Church from engaging in the mission and ministry to which it is called. Maybe we need to work on the core issues of empowerment, call and vocation. Brilliant!
As we wrote Adam's ordination service, then, the main effort was to create a service that invited every person in attendance to feel a sense of his or her own calling.Ordination was about Adam that day, but calling and ministry belongs to each of us every day. So, at the end of the service, when the Discovery Team sang "Go Light Your World," the candle of call and ministry was passed to each of us, to all of us. Adam led the way into the world, but we each went forth, bearing our own light.
Undoing the crisis of call in our congregations is perhaps the most powerful means by which we might make transition to the church that will become. Maybe this is the spiritual evolution to which our culture is bringing us. If so, thanks be to God.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Ordination of Adam Wirrig
Shiloh gathered yesterday with representatives of the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association, as well as representatives from United Theological Seminary, to ordain Shiloh member and friend, Adam Wirrig. The 3:00 p.m. service included Kathryn Anadein, SONKA Designated Association Minister, Ruth Hopkins, from the Members-in-Discernment Team of Association Church and Ministry, Daria Schaffnit, friend and colleague, who provided the ordination address, Brice Thomas, who represented the seminary, Shiloh's own Discovery Team, which provided the energy and, if I may say so, the most poignant moment within the ceremony. I served as local church representative and liturgist for the Eucharist. Aaron Sheaffer played organ on the Processional and Recessional.
Shiloh's appreciation goes out to all who attended. Your presence made the gathering that much more special, both for Shiloh and for Adam. Thanks to those who served as ushers: Ila Ward, Karen Kanaga, Tom and Doris Murph. Thanks to our greeters: Jay and Dawn McMillen, Linda and Amy DeCamp, and Randy Zuercher. Special appreciation goes out to Shiloh's Worship Committee, who took care of set up and elements for the Eucharist, and to Shiloh's Women's Board, who provided for the Omega Hall reception that followed the service.Additional special appreciation goes out to John Rabius, Shiloh's Director of Media Ministries, and his crew, who worked hard to make everything function properly. Everyone performed perfectly. Thanks to each of you!
There were two highlights of the service. The first came with the address, provided by Daria Schaffnit. The image of old wine and new wineskins fit the occasion ideally. (It was also a charge for Shiloh folk to see the old lectern back on the chancel, just for this event) The second highlight came at the tail end of the service, when the Discovery Team sang "Go Light Your World," during which Adam Wirrig was handed the Christ Candle, as he prepared for the Recessional. It was a very emotional moment.
In case any are wondering, ordination in the United Church of Christ consists of a four-way call. A local church sponsors a candidate, who is recommended to an Association Member-in-Discernment Team, which, together with the local church and the candidate, discern that God is calling the candidate to a ministerial position in the church. Then, after proper education and training, the candidate completes the cycle, by accepting the call of a church or calling body. In this case, United Theological Seminary provided the call. Adam has accepted the position of Adjunct Professor of Church History, as he awaits completion of his Ph.D. from Aberdeen, in Scotland.
It was a joyous and celebratory event. Congratulations to Reverend Adam Wirrig on achieving this ministry milestone, to Shiloh Church for hosting such a fabulous event, to the Association for it's fine work in preparing and providing the opportunity for Adam, and to United Theological Seminary, for completing the loop. Each body will be well served by Adam Wirrig.
Way to go, Shiloh!
Shiloh's appreciation goes out to all who attended. Your presence made the gathering that much more special, both for Shiloh and for Adam. Thanks to those who served as ushers: Ila Ward, Karen Kanaga, Tom and Doris Murph. Thanks to our greeters: Jay and Dawn McMillen, Linda and Amy DeCamp, and Randy Zuercher. Special appreciation goes out to Shiloh's Worship Committee, who took care of set up and elements for the Eucharist, and to Shiloh's Women's Board, who provided for the Omega Hall reception that followed the service.Additional special appreciation goes out to John Rabius, Shiloh's Director of Media Ministries, and his crew, who worked hard to make everything function properly. Everyone performed perfectly. Thanks to each of you!
There were two highlights of the service. The first came with the address, provided by Daria Schaffnit. The image of old wine and new wineskins fit the occasion ideally. (It was also a charge for Shiloh folk to see the old lectern back on the chancel, just for this event) The second highlight came at the tail end of the service, when the Discovery Team sang "Go Light Your World," during which Adam Wirrig was handed the Christ Candle, as he prepared for the Recessional. It was a very emotional moment.
In case any are wondering, ordination in the United Church of Christ consists of a four-way call. A local church sponsors a candidate, who is recommended to an Association Member-in-Discernment Team, which, together with the local church and the candidate, discern that God is calling the candidate to a ministerial position in the church. Then, after proper education and training, the candidate completes the cycle, by accepting the call of a church or calling body. In this case, United Theological Seminary provided the call. Adam has accepted the position of Adjunct Professor of Church History, as he awaits completion of his Ph.D. from Aberdeen, in Scotland.
It was a joyous and celebratory event. Congratulations to Reverend Adam Wirrig on achieving this ministry milestone, to Shiloh Church for hosting such a fabulous event, to the Association for it's fine work in preparing and providing the opportunity for Adam, and to United Theological Seminary, for completing the loop. Each body will be well served by Adam Wirrig.
Way to go, Shiloh!
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