 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2003 (XXXXI 4) |
The Chinese character for "crisis" combines two characters: one for "judgment," the other for "opportunity." PYM seems to be facing some kind of crisis at this point — perhaps about budgets, but probably about something deeper. There may be a "judgment" of sorts on our organization in this; but far more interesting is the question of where the opportunity lies here.
The opportunity may come in being forced out of old assumptions and patterns by these fiscal difficulties. It may come in our being pushed to see things from different angles, and do things in news ways. I have been encouraged in this thought by a recent experience.
Early this summer I attended a conference of religious people (of various faiths) in Nebraska. They came together to find ways that their organizations and congregations could be more effective in serving their larger communities. The challenges they face make ours look small.
The USA's three poorest counties, and seven of the ten poorest, are in Nebraska.
More than half of Nebraska counties have experienced significant de-population over the last 20 years, literally emptying many towns and decimating many others.
The number of family farms, the primary industry and way of life, has decreased precipitously; and many businesses and other institutions have "gone under" too.
Now many towns (or areas) cannot sustain more than one religious congregation, some not even one. Churches have been the backbone of community life in these rural communities. Religious congregations have offered public gathering spaces, created social networks, modeled personal caring, and taught moral values. They have mobilized people to care for others, and offered entrance points to formal services for counseling, education, and economic support.
So how can the congregations (and their members) remaining fulfill their missions and live out their callings as communities and people of faith in such difficult circumstances? Let me share one story that gave me hope and guidance.
The last congregation in one town gathered to face its difficulties. They no longer had enough members to have a pastor, Sunday school, or typical worship services. They asked, "Should we close the building and disband the church altogether?"
They discussed the church's role in the community — not just in spiritual nurture, but also as a community-building and -sustaining institution. They decided to open the building for coffee and fellowship every Wednesday at mid-day. (This town had lost its school, its store, and its only restaurant long before.)
This church created a new kind of "congregation." Members still pray together, have Bible study, and worship. The Wednesday hospitality was so successful that now they are open every day at mid-day, joined by others from their community who come to share coffee, news, and fellowship. Relationships critical to the health of the whole community are maintained. People hear of others' needs, and find ways (with still others) to help. This congregation is still pursuing its mission as a community of faith, with or without pastors, Sunday schools, and liturgy.
There were other inspiring stories. Facing profound crises, people of faith have found creative ways to live out their callings together in new ways. They have let go of old ways of operating that were honored, even revered, and found new ways to do what is really sacred - to worship together and live with and serve others as God's people. They have done so at first under duress, and then with joy.
As PYM enters another year of worship and work together, one that may bring "crisis," I wonder how seriously we will take our Quaker convictions about continuing revelation? Can we be honest about the judgments we may face in that crisis, but also hopeful and creative in seizing the opportunity it may offer?
My prayer is that our Yearly Meeting will manifest a new, profound openness to "beholding the new things" God may want to do with us (Isaiah 43:19), and to doing things in new ways. My prayer is that we will be ready for the Holy Spirit to surprise us. I confess that nurturing this kind of openness to change and newness is as much a challenge for me as for most people. So I will, as a dear friend of mine says, expect grace and pray for mercy — for all of us.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM