"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I be-came an adult, I put an end to childish ways." - 1 Corinthians 13:11
"What do you want to be (do) when you grow up?" That is a question many of us may have been asked - maybe multiple times - during our formative years. As a pre-teen, I had no idea, nor did I in my teen years. But I knew the question must be important as I was asked it time and time again. Even in high school, we students were "encouraged" (at times not so subtly) to "have a plan" for our adulthood. Gee! Do I have to "grow up" so quick?
We might ask the same question of the church: What do you want to be (do) when you grow up? It is a question that the church often avoids, not out of any willful intent (although, that can be the case), but simply because there is no consensus on where the church either should be or where it should go. An oft quoted proverb is that if one does not know where they are going, any direction will do. This is so true of the church! And so we muddle along, both unsure and afraid to step out into risky and uncharted waters.
What about us here at Hunt UMC? Have we “grown up,” or are we still in that adolescent stage where we’re unsure of our goals or direction? Good question, I believe. If you have been follow-ing my columns over the last weeks, you may have noticed that I’ve been talking about this very thing. Again, one cannot know where they are going without some clear understanding of who they are. So, where are we heading? Another good question. I wish I could answer that but I can’t. It’s a question that needs to be addressed as the church.
Does that mean we all have to be in total agreement? Of course not. But, it helps that we at least agree that gaining new insights into where God is calling us to be the church is very important. Early this fall, we will be doing some visioning work as a congregation. It has been done before as Marda Tayloe and Marilyn Butcher led the church in a similar process. It is my prayer that this time of discernment will not be just a time of what we should be doing as a church, but more pointedly, where God is calling us to be the church in the world.
The church today has moved, as a seminary professor of mine, Dr. Ellen Charry, once stated, into uncharted waters. As Ellen said, it’s moved past “the last buoy marker” in the water, and that means our reliance must shift – if it’s been there – from ourselves to God. Whew! It’s going to be an exciting journey, but only if we’re ready to embark upon it. What’s the answer? Are we ready to “grow up?” See you on this exciting, but scary, journey.
Grace and peace,
Mike
June 28, 2015