Shifting
My first lessons learning to drive a car, came from family and friends. Somehow, I knew it was insufficient for this great undertaking and enrolled in a driving school to learn from a professional. The driving instructor was helpful, patient, intentional, and really good. Even, with all of these lessons, I failed my first driver’s license test using a car with an automatic transmission. It’s a long story, but I decided to test again, this time passing with flying colors using a car with a manual transmission. You might have a few notions on how this would be possible.
This past year and a few months, we found the church “shifting” from the inside (behind closed doors) to the outside (online or the outdoors). It was paramount to find a new way or model that could hold the most important parts of who we are and can continue to become for our mission, our communities and the world. I believe for congregations who are still braving new ways, it was and is less about the frills and more out of concern for the experiences of others. We brave these new models for those of us who can go sometimes “overlooked or ignored.” (Mt. 25:40 MSG) I/we have seen new ways in the sharing of the gospel, lessons of inspiration and faith. There have been new approaches, events and activities for people to commune and learn. How many times have you seen a cooking demonstration with faith components? Amid the very hard parts and difficult experiences in this pandemic. We have seen grace abound and generosity and creativity and many of our congregations thrive. If this is a test, we are grateful to see many of our congregations thriving and passing it with flying colors.
As a region of congregations, I encourage and pray for our congregational leaderships to reflect deeply about the kinds of experiences or lessons learned amid this pandemic. I imagine some of us are anxious to return back to “normal.” Some of us may want to drive again with a model that has an “automatic transmission,” if you will. In humility, I will offer that this current time and era will require some extra efforts, patience, intentionality, and some really good manual shifting to meet the needs of our world.
One of the “Marks of a Faithful Regional Church”[1] is enabling congregations to do things together that cannot be done alone. You are not alone! Our region will continue to thrive, with congregations working side by side in covenantal relationships, being counted faithful with support and care. We are here to enable, serve and pray for you as we work together in God’s mission for the world.
Blessings,
Richie
[1] https://cdn.disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/06162554/MarksofaFaithfulRegionalChurch2007.pdf