Wednesday, July 6, 2016

WEEKLY COMMENTARY: Calling All C.E.O.'s !



I was on one of my rare shopping trips to the Short Hills Mall, when I came upon my dear friends, Harry and Judi.  I see them socially from time to time, and they are members of my church.  Yes, they are members officially, but they attend church worship only on Christmas and Easter, so I call them "C.E.O.'s" ---- Christmas and Easter Only.

I have tried a few times to get them more engaged with the diverse activities at our church, but they politely decline, or tell me they already have too full a schedule.

How do we express with honesty and clarity what we hope others will receive if they really join our community of faith?  Will Harry and Judi just settle for being "shadow" CPC members?  In theological terms, the answer might be to say that we offer them "a relationship with God through Jesus Christ."  For most people this might not appeal because it is too abstract an offer.  And wouldn't that answer apply to joining any community of faith?  What do people need and want from our church?

Methodist Bishop Robert Schnase told us in his writings, that people need to know the peace that runs deeper than an absence of conflict, the hope that sustains them even through the most painful periods of grief, the sense of belonging that blesses them and stretches them and lifts them out of their own self-absorption.

Furthermore, says Bishop Schnase, people need to learn how to offer and accept forgiveness, and how to serve and be served.  As a "school for love," the church becomes a group of people who learn from one another how to love.  People need to know that life is not just the striving to have something to live on, but something to live for ---- that life comes not from taking for oneself, but by giving of oneself.  People need a sustaining sense of purpose.

What is it about Central Church that shows it is special, as an instrument of God?  Why has God put this congregation in this place, at this particular time?  It would be easier to answer that question if CPC would just stand still.  But our Central Church does not do that.  New members join, former members die or move away.  New program ideas catch fire, new friendships are made in the congregation.  CPC tries to look"calm," but it is really quite dynamic ---- so, where is God leading us?

Remembering that all CPC members are part of the Body of Christ, we are subject to many sincere opinions of where God is leading us as a church.  To a large extent, perhaps the question is not "where" is Central Church headed?  Perhaps the question really is where are each one of us headed individually?  By working and learning together can we not eventually find a much clearer answer to that question, than just as a solo act like Harry and Judi?

But, how does this "school for love" really operate?  Sometimes the greatest strength of church worship and Bible classes and choirs, is also their greatest weakness.  Church members may love each other so much that their lives become very intertwined, and their interests interwoven, so that church groups become impenetrable to new people.  The closeness can close out new people who feel like outsiders looking in, and often those on the inside don't even notice.  The church members feel content ---- their own needs are being met!   What they forget is their obligation to help newcomers achieve in personal growth, as members of the Body of Christ.  Is this what is blocking the progress of my friends Harry and Judi?

Today, people are searching for churches that make them feel welcome and loved. needed and accepted.  The work doesn't stop there.  When congregations invite someone to a feast, they can't spend all their time focused on getting the invitations right.  They have to consider what will be served.  What are they inviting them here for?

Why has God placed our Central Presbyterian Church at this time in this setting?
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These thoughts are brought to you by CPC's Adult Spiritual Development Team, hoping to encourage some personal spiritual growth for you this summer at CPC.
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