As a spiritual director, one of the things I often do is ask people to reflect more deeply on their experience. This is not an opportunity to analyse or to critique. Instead, it is a time to look more deeply at our experience, to listen more carefully to the movements of God, to take that graced second look at things we may have missed the first time. I believe that God speaks to us through our human experience, sometimes in a language that is hard to understand. But it is still an important thing to do: looking more deeply so that nothing of what God has done may be lost.
So, this week, I hope we have had an opportunity to ask those we invited to church what that experience was like for them. What did they enjoy? What did they find surprising? What was strange to them? What made them feel uncomfortable? Again, this is not to analyse or conduct some kind of "customer survey", but to help those who came to church think more deeply about their experience. We need to enter into those conversations carefully - it is holy ground. But it can be an important ministry, holding open some space where God's call can still be heard.
One of the things that I have uncovered in my own spiritual life is that, yes, we first have that experience of God's call. Then we have the experience of understanding how to respond to that call, how what we have heard and known applies to our daily life. And this can take some time, can take a life time. If God truly has called these people to come to church, then maybe we have a responsibility to help them unpack and listen more carefully to what God is saying to them. All of us need help in that path of discernment. And I believe that one of the marks of a healthy church is that we move more and more into that ministry of being a discerning community. And this week we have an opportunity to do just that.
So, give them a call. Talk to them again. Ask them what it was like to come to church. Continue to show interest in that sacred part of their life. And if they are not sure what the experience was like, if they have some questions, maybe we can ask them back once again, ask them to "come and see".
Friday, October 1, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Kind of like Nicodemus
So, we had an extra 20 people in church this morning at our main worship service. Our usual attendance is about 50. We had a good kids talk at the beginning. We celebrated communion together. We assured those who were there for the first time that they did not have to give when the offering plate was passed. The music group practiced a little harder and it truly was good. So, I am grateful for the worship service this morning. And I am grateful for what God seemed to be doing. But I also know, that it is not over.
It kind of puts me in mind of Nicodemus from John's gospel. We do not hear too much of him until much later in the gospel. And that conversation that he has with Jesus always seems a bit strange to me. Jesus does not really answer any of his questions. I suspect Nicodemus leaves that encounter more confused than when he started. But somehow, Jesus holds open some space for the relationship to continue, for unanswered questions to linger, for doubt to blend with wonder, for something new to emerge in the human heart. And I hope that we have done a little of that today. Hold open some space, and allow something new to be born.
What will happen next? Well, we will do some follow-up the best we can. And I also know that this is God's work. So, we will also pray for those who came, hoping that nothing that happened today will be lost. Seeds scattered. Moments of holy inquiry begun. Something stirring in the human heart. God's whisper heard for the first time. And, like Nicodemus, we may not hear about the results of today for a long time. But that's ok. It is not about getting results anyway. It is about one heart at a time. And I think we did that today. And for that, I am grateful!
It kind of puts me in mind of Nicodemus from John's gospel. We do not hear too much of him until much later in the gospel. And that conversation that he has with Jesus always seems a bit strange to me. Jesus does not really answer any of his questions. I suspect Nicodemus leaves that encounter more confused than when he started. But somehow, Jesus holds open some space for the relationship to continue, for unanswered questions to linger, for doubt to blend with wonder, for something new to emerge in the human heart. And I hope that we have done a little of that today. Hold open some space, and allow something new to be born.
What will happen next? Well, we will do some follow-up the best we can. And I also know that this is God's work. So, we will also pray for those who came, hoping that nothing that happened today will be lost. Seeds scattered. Moments of holy inquiry begun. Something stirring in the human heart. God's whisper heard for the first time. And, like Nicodemus, we may not hear about the results of today for a long time. But that's ok. It is not about getting results anyway. It is about one heart at a time. And I think we did that today. And for that, I am grateful!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Is This What the Great Commission Looks Like?
Like last year, I am excited about tomorrow, excited about Back to Church Sunday. There is that tidbit of anticipation that bubbles up every once in a while, wondering what God is going to do. I think about that parable of the sower and the seed, about the invitations that have been scattered here and scattered there in hopes of a harvest that is yet to come. One of the things I like about that story is the immense and reckless generosity of the farmer. He does not seem to care where the seed lands. It does not seem to matter that most of the seed lands in places that no one in their right mind would plant crops. The only thing that matters to the farmer is the joy that comes with spreading the seeds.
I have heard a few cool things already, a bit of seed scattered by some of the fine folks of St. Paul's. One young woman in high school who has only been coming to church for a few months, has found our parish family to be a welcoming and nourishing place. She had never been to church before, but she was invited. And now, she has apparently invited five of her friends, three of whom plan to come tomorrow. Another girl in grade 12 has invited three of her friends, and two of them hope to be there at 11 a.m. And I wonder who else at St. Paul's, who else across our Diocese, has been asking, inviting, including, and calling. Who else has uttered those words, "Come and see?" Who else has said, "Would you like to come to church with me this Sunday?"
And maybe this scattering will result in a plant sprouting up for a time, and then fading away. But at least for a time, it will be something of beauty and grace. And my experience as a gardener tells me to trust and to hope. Even a plant that withers and dies will fall to the ground, providing nourishment to seeds that will come at another time. For God, nothing is ever lost. All things are always being made new. Nothing can snatch them out of his hand. And tomorrow, we will get to see something of what God is doing: calling, shaping, planting, scattering. We will see some divine joy spill over from heaven, and land in the most surprising of places! We get to see that joy - we get to see God at work, again - and how cool is that?
So yep - I am looking forward to tomorrow. The church is changing, we are recovering things that have been neglected for too long, some things are happening that I do not fully understand, but I know are good. When two high school kids can invite eight friends to church, I wonder what God is going to do with that. And I am so grateful that God is moving in their hearts, calling to engage in that Great Commission.
I have heard a few cool things already, a bit of seed scattered by some of the fine folks of St. Paul's. One young woman in high school who has only been coming to church for a few months, has found our parish family to be a welcoming and nourishing place. She had never been to church before, but she was invited. And now, she has apparently invited five of her friends, three of whom plan to come tomorrow. Another girl in grade 12 has invited three of her friends, and two of them hope to be there at 11 a.m. And I wonder who else at St. Paul's, who else across our Diocese, has been asking, inviting, including, and calling. Who else has uttered those words, "Come and see?" Who else has said, "Would you like to come to church with me this Sunday?"
And maybe this scattering will result in a plant sprouting up for a time, and then fading away. But at least for a time, it will be something of beauty and grace. And my experience as a gardener tells me to trust and to hope. Even a plant that withers and dies will fall to the ground, providing nourishment to seeds that will come at another time. For God, nothing is ever lost. All things are always being made new. Nothing can snatch them out of his hand. And tomorrow, we will get to see something of what God is doing: calling, shaping, planting, scattering. We will see some divine joy spill over from heaven, and land in the most surprising of places! We get to see that joy - we get to see God at work, again - and how cool is that?
So yep - I am looking forward to tomorrow. The church is changing, we are recovering things that have been neglected for too long, some things are happening that I do not fully understand, but I know are good. When two high school kids can invite eight friends to church, I wonder what God is going to do with that. And I am so grateful that God is moving in their hearts, calling to engage in that Great Commission.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Who is seeking who?
Some of the discussion around Back to Chuch Sunday has been about what kind of worship service do we offer and can we do something a little different? These are good questions, and often we will end up using phrases like "seeker friendly" or "seeker sensitive." I heard one phrase the other day: "seeker driven." That for me was a new one. But they all boil down to an awareness that there will be new people in church, some of them may truly be seeking, and we need to be "friendly," we need to be "sensitive."
One of the things that excite me about Back to Church Sunday is an opportunity to look out on Sunday morning and see a couple of new faces. A bit of gratitude comes up from within me. Gratitude not only that someone here at St Paul's invited their neighbour to church. But gratitude that God is really at work in the world, calling his people together. I look out, and I see not seekers, but those who are sought after. OK, maybe it is a bit of both. But maybe that makes it even more wonderful: those who are seeking after this God who is seeking after them. Both are found. Both rejoice.
We worship a God who seeks after us. The mystics describe it even more dramatically: a God who pursues us. And maybe that is what really amazes me. Our "friendliness" or our "sensitivity" can be rooted not so much in messing with the worship service, but can be rooted in gratitude, our ability to respond in joy and celebration. God is still at work in the world, and we get to see it in the presence of those who will come back to church. Or as Luke's gospel tells us so clearly, God is still searching after lost sheep, misplaced coins, wandering sons, delinquent daughters, people like you and people like me. And that is an encouraging thought!
One of the things that excite me about Back to Church Sunday is an opportunity to look out on Sunday morning and see a couple of new faces. A bit of gratitude comes up from within me. Gratitude not only that someone here at St Paul's invited their neighbour to church. But gratitude that God is really at work in the world, calling his people together. I look out, and I see not seekers, but those who are sought after. OK, maybe it is a bit of both. But maybe that makes it even more wonderful: those who are seeking after this God who is seeking after them. Both are found. Both rejoice.
We worship a God who seeks after us. The mystics describe it even more dramatically: a God who pursues us. And maybe that is what really amazes me. Our "friendliness" or our "sensitivity" can be rooted not so much in messing with the worship service, but can be rooted in gratitude, our ability to respond in joy and celebration. God is still at work in the world, and we get to see it in the presence of those who will come back to church. Or as Luke's gospel tells us so clearly, God is still searching after lost sheep, misplaced coins, wandering sons, delinquent daughters, people like you and people like me. And that is an encouraging thought!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Yes, but will it be successful?
So, just like last year, I asked everyone in church today to stand up and say those words together: "Would you like to come to church with me this Sunday?" I think everyone participated, and most people were smiling afterwards. It was at least a good practice run. And all this week, we will be asking that question. Some will say yes, and some will say no, and some will simply want to think about it for a while.
This put me in mind of a recent conversation about how we will know if this year's Back to Church Sunday is better or more successful than last year. It was an interesting discussion. Will it be better if we get a better response from people? Will it be more successful if we get more people in church next week? Will it work if more people stay this year than last year? While these are important questions, I am not sure that they are the first indicators of "success." Numbers are one thing. But as Christian communities, I hope we can see something else too. Something harder to measure, but maybe even more important.
One of the purposes of Back to Church Sunday is to provide an opportunity for us to go out into the world and ask people to church. And maybe in doing so, we will look at our friends and neighbours differently. Maybe we will look at our faith differently. Maybe we will look at our church and what we do on Sunday mornings differently. We can talk about sports, global events, and local politics with all sorts of people, but what about our spiritual life? What about the things that are life-changing at our church? When we begin to talk about that more freely, then I think Back to Church Sunday will be considered a "success."
So, will we get more people out to church this year than last year? Maybe we will and maybe we won't. Back to Church Sunday is not a membership drive. It is about connections between church and the world, it is about our faith. And I think that with all matters of faith, whenever we are called into that transformation of the heart and renewal of our minds, empirical evidence falls short. The point is to ask people the question. And then, it is about listening to their questions. It is about welcoming. It is about willingness to serve. It is about putting ourselves in a vulnerable position. It is about hospitality. And one thing I have learned about hospitality is that it changes the host as much as it changes the guest. And if it means that I need to change a little in order to see my friend come to church, that is a sacrifice I am willing to make.
This put me in mind of a recent conversation about how we will know if this year's Back to Church Sunday is better or more successful than last year. It was an interesting discussion. Will it be better if we get a better response from people? Will it be more successful if we get more people in church next week? Will it work if more people stay this year than last year? While these are important questions, I am not sure that they are the first indicators of "success." Numbers are one thing. But as Christian communities, I hope we can see something else too. Something harder to measure, but maybe even more important.
One of the purposes of Back to Church Sunday is to provide an opportunity for us to go out into the world and ask people to church. And maybe in doing so, we will look at our friends and neighbours differently. Maybe we will look at our faith differently. Maybe we will look at our church and what we do on Sunday mornings differently. We can talk about sports, global events, and local politics with all sorts of people, but what about our spiritual life? What about the things that are life-changing at our church? When we begin to talk about that more freely, then I think Back to Church Sunday will be considered a "success."
So, will we get more people out to church this year than last year? Maybe we will and maybe we won't. Back to Church Sunday is not a membership drive. It is about connections between church and the world, it is about our faith. And I think that with all matters of faith, whenever we are called into that transformation of the heart and renewal of our minds, empirical evidence falls short. The point is to ask people the question. And then, it is about listening to their questions. It is about welcoming. It is about willingness to serve. It is about putting ourselves in a vulnerable position. It is about hospitality. And one thing I have learned about hospitality is that it changes the host as much as it changes the guest. And if it means that I need to change a little in order to see my friend come to church, that is a sacrifice I am willing to make.
Friday, September 17, 2010
James Earl Jones Started Where?
I found it surprising to learn this morning that James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader and the Lion King started his acting career on "As the World Turns," a soap which concludes its air time sometime next week. It is a strange kind of image for me: Mr. Jones learning the lines of a soap. The same man who said "I am your father," while holding a light sabre memorized the sometimes corny lines of a daytime drama. But everyone needs to start somewhere. It is cool where he ended up.
And when I talk to people at St. Paul's and in different church settings, I hear stories of where they started out. And I hear stories of how they came to church. And for the most part, it was through an invitation, a friend, some already existing relationship. Yes, some "came out of the cold" by themselves, but most have come and stayed at places like St. Paul's because of a friendship that God had already established. And then they stayed because of the people they met and the openess of the congregation. My experience has been that most people stay during those first few weeks and months not because of the sermon, the music or the programs. They stay because of who they met at coffee hour, how they were greeted at the door, who shook their hand at the Peace. These are important connections we make with people who come to worship with us. And it all began with someone saying something quite ordinary: would you like to come to church with me on Sunday.
And in these conversations I have with people, that is what they remember. After the years pass, sure, they talk about the sermons and the programs. But invariably, they go back to that one invitation. That memory remains and continues to be formative for so many people.
So, do not be afraid to ask someone to church. Yes, I know it can be a little intimidating; it is something that we are not used to doing. But it is something that people will remember. It is something that we are going to have to get used to doing. It is that invitation that has changed the lives of so many. Maybe not changed the lives of thousands at St. Paul's (we do not have thousands), but one heart at a time. The people I know in our parish family have not risen to the stardom we see in the life of James Earl Jones. But they are part of a family, part of a community. They are learning to pray, they are hearing more and more about what it means to be a disciple, they are uncovering a richness of those inner connections that has little to do with me, but everything to do with God working through ordinary friendships that each of us already has.
So, look around. See what God has given you. See the people that God has already put in your life. And ask them this simple and amazing question: Would you like to come to church with me this Sunday?
And when I talk to people at St. Paul's and in different church settings, I hear stories of where they started out. And I hear stories of how they came to church. And for the most part, it was through an invitation, a friend, some already existing relationship. Yes, some "came out of the cold" by themselves, but most have come and stayed at places like St. Paul's because of a friendship that God had already established. And then they stayed because of the people they met and the openess of the congregation. My experience has been that most people stay during those first few weeks and months not because of the sermon, the music or the programs. They stay because of who they met at coffee hour, how they were greeted at the door, who shook their hand at the Peace. These are important connections we make with people who come to worship with us. And it all began with someone saying something quite ordinary: would you like to come to church with me on Sunday.
And in these conversations I have with people, that is what they remember. After the years pass, sure, they talk about the sermons and the programs. But invariably, they go back to that one invitation. That memory remains and continues to be formative for so many people.
So, do not be afraid to ask someone to church. Yes, I know it can be a little intimidating; it is something that we are not used to doing. But it is something that people will remember. It is something that we are going to have to get used to doing. It is that invitation that has changed the lives of so many. Maybe not changed the lives of thousands at St. Paul's (we do not have thousands), but one heart at a time. The people I know in our parish family have not risen to the stardom we see in the life of James Earl Jones. But they are part of a family, part of a community. They are learning to pray, they are hearing more and more about what it means to be a disciple, they are uncovering a richness of those inner connections that has little to do with me, but everything to do with God working through ordinary friendships that each of us already has.
So, look around. See what God has given you. See the people that God has already put in your life. And ask them this simple and amazing question: Would you like to come to church with me this Sunday?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
TSN for three and a half seconds
Yes, it is true. Over the summer, I was on The Sports Network (TSN), appearing ever so briefly with Jennifer Hedger and Darren “Dutch” Dutchyshen. You might think that I was in the crowd scenes but no - it was better than that! Way better! Our local Dragon Boat team in Brighton was featured on TSN and for three and a half seconds, you could see me sitting beside the illustrious Dutch and just behind the iconic Jennifer.
Now, I have to say that I do not watch TSN. Before this time, I had no idea who Jennifer and Dutch were. The things found on the Sports Centre channel are simply not part my world. Sure, I go to the gym, paddle on Lake Ontario in the summer and in the winter I curl a 44 pound stone down a 126 feet sheet of ice, but that is about it athletically. So, while I enjoyed paddling with Jennifer and Dutch, I did not really feel connected with all they represent. When it was done, I drove home knowing that it was kind of cool, but also wondering what all the fuss was about.
And part of me wonders if that what it is like for those we will invite to church on September 26. They will be entering a different world, not really connected with what we do, wondering what all the fuss is about. I heard of TSN, watched some stuff on line, knew in general terms what they do there, but that’s about it. Most people I know have heard of the church, seen some stuff on TV, know in general terms what we do there, but that’s about it.
One of the things I valued about my experience with Dutch and Jennifer is that I was given the freedom to enter into that experience at my own pace. There was no expectation that I should have a “wow” moment. I did not have to pretend to know which forward in the NBA scored the most points per game. There was no cable guy telling me, “Ok, now you have to sign up for TSN in HD”. I was given the time and space to connect, or not connect, to enjoy or not enjoy. I could be myself in the Dragon boat, I could sit beside Dutch and Jennifer, I could even see myself on TSN. No pressure.
But then, that was kind of the end of the experience. The next day, Jennifer did not leave any phone messages at the church. Dutch has not emailed me to ask me to go out for a beer. The producers of TSN have not contacted me for a repeat performance on the Dragon Boat. They let me be, there was no pressure to belong, but in a way, that’s what was missing. On Back to Church Sunday, it may be good to provide a “no pressure” atmosphere, but it is also important to do that follow up, to express some genuine interest, to find out more about who these people are. While we do not want to overwhelm, we need to be open to the opportunities to move people from wanderers to pilgrims, or as John Bowen reminds us, from “visitors into disciples.”
While Jesus provided a “no pressure” attitude, he always seemed genuinely interested in those he met. He called them. He summoned something new out of people like Peter, Mary Magdalene and Thomas, he invited people into a new kind of community. Jesus did not confuse “no pressure” with “not interested”. It is a relationship that he sought after. It is a relationship that he offers. And he offers it through people like you and me.
Now, I have to say that I do not watch TSN. Before this time, I had no idea who Jennifer and Dutch were. The things found on the Sports Centre channel are simply not part my world. Sure, I go to the gym, paddle on Lake Ontario in the summer and in the winter I curl a 44 pound stone down a 126 feet sheet of ice, but that is about it athletically. So, while I enjoyed paddling with Jennifer and Dutch, I did not really feel connected with all they represent. When it was done, I drove home knowing that it was kind of cool, but also wondering what all the fuss was about.
And part of me wonders if that what it is like for those we will invite to church on September 26. They will be entering a different world, not really connected with what we do, wondering what all the fuss is about. I heard of TSN, watched some stuff on line, knew in general terms what they do there, but that’s about it. Most people I know have heard of the church, seen some stuff on TV, know in general terms what we do there, but that’s about it.
One of the things I valued about my experience with Dutch and Jennifer is that I was given the freedom to enter into that experience at my own pace. There was no expectation that I should have a “wow” moment. I did not have to pretend to know which forward in the NBA scored the most points per game. There was no cable guy telling me, “Ok, now you have to sign up for TSN in HD”. I was given the time and space to connect, or not connect, to enjoy or not enjoy. I could be myself in the Dragon boat, I could sit beside Dutch and Jennifer, I could even see myself on TSN. No pressure.
But then, that was kind of the end of the experience. The next day, Jennifer did not leave any phone messages at the church. Dutch has not emailed me to ask me to go out for a beer. The producers of TSN have not contacted me for a repeat performance on the Dragon Boat. They let me be, there was no pressure to belong, but in a way, that’s what was missing. On Back to Church Sunday, it may be good to provide a “no pressure” atmosphere, but it is also important to do that follow up, to express some genuine interest, to find out more about who these people are. While we do not want to overwhelm, we need to be open to the opportunities to move people from wanderers to pilgrims, or as John Bowen reminds us, from “visitors into disciples.”
While Jesus provided a “no pressure” attitude, he always seemed genuinely interested in those he met. He called them. He summoned something new out of people like Peter, Mary Magdalene and Thomas, he invited people into a new kind of community. Jesus did not confuse “no pressure” with “not interested”. It is a relationship that he sought after. It is a relationship that he offers. And he offers it through people like you and me.
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