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 "a relationship with God through
Jesus Christ." For most people this might not appeal because it is
too abstract an answer. 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, said 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 having
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 makes it 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
the 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 place?
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These thoughts are brought to you by CPC's Adult
Spiritual Development Team, hoping to encourage some personal spiritual growth
this summer at CPC.
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