Must Do, Can't Fails.... A Sabbath Pondering

Today I feel like my brain might just explode.  The things swirling in there lead me down multiple trains of thought at a time.  What ifs?  What is to come?  What is the path?  How will we know it is the right one?

As I continue my reading and pondering of Bolsinger's book, Canoeing the Mountains, I can't help but pause to consider the deep ramifications of his insight.

"Before we are able to help people discover new lessons or insights, we must prove ourselves trustworthy in protecting the core of beliefs that give a congregation its identity."  (Bolsinger, Tod E. Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2015. Print. Pg 55)

I have heard other people talk about this in terms of "must do, can't fail."  What are the pieces of church life that we must accomplish?  What is it that would be catastrophic if it failed?

What about worship.... is... "Worship is central to our community" a core belief in churches?  More than likely.  That makes sense.  However what happens when there are different qualifications knowingly or unknowingly put on that core belief?

"Worship is central to our community" BUT....

• worship is only worship when it is traditional
• worship is only worship when it is contemporary
• worship is only worship when the pastor is leading all pieces
• worship is only worship when the choir is robed and singing
• worship is only worship when it is in the sanctuary
• worship can't take place in people's homes
• worship is only worship when we read all of the  lessons prescribed for that Sunday

We could do the same for another aspect of ministry that I'm deeply familiar with.... children's and youth ministry.  "Youth ministry is central to our faith community."  Many churches tout this among their core beliefs.  However, even that has qualifications placed on it.

"Youth ministry is central to our faith community" BUT...

• children and youth should not be allowed to serve communion
• children and youth are not welcome in worship unless they can be perfectly quiet
• children and youth should only use parts of the building designated for them
• children and youth should only help lead worship as acolytes and on youth Sunday
• children and youth should be educated in the faith only at church, we are not responsible for it in our homes

I could go on and on.  We could do the same for communion, for outreach, for stewardship, for mission, for small groups for each and every thing a congregation held true and fast.  I guess my ultimate point is that it is really difficult pinning down what a community's core beliefs are because there are so many qualifications that are attached to them.  Often times there are different factions in congregations that apply different qualifications.  So many voices.  How do you sort out where the congregation's true identity lies when you must wade through all the ands, ifs, and buts that are both acknowledged and hidden?

And now to go think of that some more...

Growing Edges of Sabbath

I rarely have the time to just sit and ponder.  Sabbath has afforded me the opportunity to deeply focus on what God is calling me to, where the church is going, and how that fits together in my life.  The book I am reading, my guide for Sabbath this week, is taking me on a journey.  I'm curious to see where that leads.  In the meantime... here is what is swimming in my brain.

"Just as Lewis and Clark functioned under a set of geographical assumptions, leaders of the church in the West today have been operating under a set of philosophical, theological and ecclesiological assumptions."  (Bolsinger, Tod E. Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2015. Print. Pg 27)

 Just as Lewis and Clark made assumptions about what their journey would be like, we too make assumptions about ministry, about congregations, about leadership.  I keep turning the question over and around in my mind.  What are the assumptions we make in churches today?  

• Everyone around us has at least basic knowledge of the Christian faith.  
• Churches have a pedestal position in society.
• If we offer more programs people will come back to church.
• Others should do mission.  I'll just write a check.  
• Church involvement is an indication of strength of personal faith.  
• Faith is only something that we need to worry about on Sunday mornings, well on Sunday mornings that are convenient.  
• Ministry is completely the pastor's, music minister's, youth minister's and church professional's job.  That is what we pay them for.
• If we turn back to what worked in the 1950s and 1960s church will be vibrant again.
• Children and youth should receive Christian education and faith development from the church and church professionals.  
• Money and finances are a taboo subject for churches to discuss.  
• We are the only church/denomination that does things correctly.  
• All of those that are part of a church should agree with one another.  

These are all assumptions, all myths.  We as churches and as church leaders cannot continue living in assumption.  While some of these may have seemed to be true in the past, we are facing a very different scene in 2016.  The world is rapidly changing.  I know that is painful for some people to hear.  I get it, truly I do.  I think back to all of the changes people have seen in just the last 100 years.  My grandmother was born in 1924.  Growing up she did not have indoor toilets and was educated in a one room school house.  By the time she passed away in 2003 there were microwaves, computers, cell phones.  That is a lot of change in her lifetime.  Technologically, socially, culturally, educationally.  I can only imagine the changes I will see in my lifetime.  The pace of change seems to be quicker and quicker each year.  The church is no different.  Others have said it and I will say it as well.  If faith communities are to survive they must put assumptions aside and rethink and retool for the future that is to come.  It means evaluating and keeping what tradition is life giving to a community, developing discipleship and looking towards the ever changing future of God's mission in the world.  

And now to go ponder that a little more....

Leaning into Sabbath

Ministry.  When I stop to consider, I really know nothing else.  I have worked in ministry my entire adult life.  While it has been, and continues to be, the most rewarding thing I can dream of.... it is still immensely tiring.  I am positive I am not alone in this.  

So, it is with the deepest thanks to my congregation's leadership that, I (and the other full time staff) have a week of Sabbath.  For me, Sabbath means the swing of the pendulum between rest and work shifts.  For a few days I have been able to rest and abide with my children as they prepare for school and the next season in our household.  As the week continues I am shifting toward fruitfulness, looking for growth while I am gifted the time to focus without distraction.

While in search for a meaningful accompaniment to my Sabbath week, my long time mentor suggested a book... Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger.  This is my guide for the remainder of my week.  It looks to be quite the journey ahead.  The beautiful thing is that I am not alone.