Trying to Scratch the 500 Year Itch - Part 2

     I was having a round-table discussion (actually, the table was rectangular in shape) with some members from my congregation recently.  We were talking about what it means to be a vital congregation.  We've been having a good many of those conversations over the past few months.  We've been working with a coach as part of an organized vitality effort through the Congregational Development Office of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church.

     We've been working diligently to try and cultivate a culture of relationship-building within our congregation.  With intention, we've worked to free up some of the pastor's time, in order for the pastor to spend more time out in the community, meeting people and building relationships.

     That intentional effort found me spending about 2 and 1/2 hours at a local school Monday morning, visiting with staff in the lounge over coffee, doughnuts (you really should try the new key lime pie Krispy Kremes)  and sausage and gravy biscuits (made by a member of our Vitality Team) as they cleaned their classes before heading off to summer vacation.

    It's one way of trying to scratch this 500 year itch.

     During the round-table (actually....oh, never mind) discussion recently, the relationship-building strategy and planning session never really fully got off the ground, because we found ourselves talking about a number of challenges that school-aged children face, and the subsequent challenges parents face in trying to help their children in a way that is consistent with their commitments to follow Jesus.

    And we wondered out loud together, about the role of the Church in helping children, parents, families to navigate the real stuff of life, informed by the life, teachings, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus.   Though we had more questions than answers on that afternoon - we all agreed that if the faith we profess on Sunday is authentic and true, then it must speak to the lives we live Monday through Saturday.

    One thing was clear in our conversations - if the Church is to be vital, the Church must be relevant.

    I'm still processing our conversation, still prayerfully trying to discern the ways in which our recent conversation is vital to our vitality.  I'm still thinking about what it means for us to be the Church in these changing times and distracting days.  I'm still thinking about who Jesus was, and is, and who we must be become because of Jesus.

    It's one way of trying to scratch this 500 year itch.

    I do not know what the Church will look like after this 500 year cycle runs its course.  I don't know how the role of the clergy might be different when all the dust finally settles.

    But I do know there are many prayers to be prayed, much discernment to be sought, much work to be done, many people to be loved right now....in these days, in our moment in history.

    And I am committed to that prayer
          and that discernment
          and that work
          and that love.

    Right now, its the best way I know to try and scratch this 500 year itch.


Grace and Peace!

Pastor Randy