Dear People Whom God Loves,
I believe that as a church, we are called to serve many different kinds of people. I am not talking about difference because of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, social and economic status. These are important, but I am considering: difference in outlook on life, attitudes toward equality and discrimination, difference in kinds of ritual that nourishes us, difference in reaction to change, difference in what people believe that being religious means.
All of us are beloved of God, but we are very different. To spiritually nourish all these different people is a huge challenge. I will mention a few things that I believe we should look at. The challenge for all of us who are leaders in our church is to move beyond what nourishes personally. If we do not make that move, there will be many people that we will not be serving. For example:
1. People who have been brought up in our tradition and are compassionate and involved in social justice. Their parents are still involved in church, but they are not. From my experience, there are quite a number who fit this description. Their reply is that they see our church leaders as unjust and hypocritical.
Our task as church leaders is to see what truth there is in their perception. If there is truth or partial truth in their perception, we must face that reality squarely.
2. People who have left the church because they didn‘t experience spiritual nourishment. Some have joined other churches and some don’t belong to any church.
Our task as church leaders is to see what kind of devotional life is missing. Are we fostering a close relationship with Jesus and the Trinity? Is there too much rote learning that doesn’t produce inner transformation?
3. People who respond positively to strict rules and people who
respond positively to more flexibility.
Our task as church leaders is to maintain the proper balance between the virtues of obedience and love. No institution can exist without structure. Obedience is necessary. At the same time, our mission from Jesus is to draw people into love and compassion. In other words, to enter the reign of God.
There doesn’t have to be a contradiction between obedience and love. I think the problem comes when we make obedience primary. Obedience is virtuous when it serves the growth of love and compassion.
This is a particular challenge for us who are church leaders. We will usually tend toward either strictness or flexibility. We need to be aware of our tendency and not allow it to turn other people away.
These are my reflections that I offer to you for consideration. Please pray for us church leaders that we may have the grace and courage to surrender to the Love we name God all of our cherished beliefs, attitudes, and habits that they may be purified by the Love that embraces us.
Smile, God Loves You,
Father Clay
Leave a Reply