NOTE: This week we again did something a little different. The previous week I had attended a Regional Ministry Council meeting and out of that meeting and my preparations for it I came up with an idea.
I am constantly reflecting on the journey that the Church of the Open Door is taking these days and the changes happening with us. I came up with a question that I posted to three different facebook Group pages, 2 of which are discussion sites for clergy (one Disciples and one UCC) and I asked for replies. Several good folks did share their answers with me, which I appreciate greatly. I was so excited by the responses that I took them to church with me last Sunday and shared them (in a generalized way, since several were very personal and I hadn't asked permission to share them in toto).
In church, we talked about the question and some of the responses and my congregants shared their thoughts, as well.
I offer my original question below for any who didn't see it in the original settings. I am always interested in why we do what we do - not just what do we do. In that light, I believe this is a question worth pondering. Here it is:
I am constantly reflecting on the journey that the Church of the Open Door is taking these days and the changes happening with us. I came up with a question that I posted to three different facebook Group pages, 2 of which are discussion sites for clergy (one Disciples and one UCC) and I asked for replies. Several good folks did share their answers with me, which I appreciate greatly. I was so excited by the responses that I took them to church with me last Sunday and shared them (in a generalized way, since several were very personal and I hadn't asked permission to share them in toto).
In church, we talked about the question and some of the responses and my congregants shared their thoughts, as well.
I offer my original question below for any who didn't see it in the original settings. I am always interested in why we do what we do - not just what do we do. In that light, I believe this is a question worth pondering. Here it is:
I have a question, I’m asking this to gather information for our Church Off the Center Mission Cluster (DOC) and I seriously hope some of you will take a few minutes to think about it and respond, whether you consider yourself part of an “off the center” church, or not.
WHAT DO YOU DO NOW IN THE LIFE OF YOUR CHURCH THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE 10 OR 15 YEARS AGO?
By definition, a Church Off the Center is one that is going through changes – many of these changes have been forced by circumstance such as shrinking numbers or budgets insufficient to carry on as usual – but other changes have come about with a shift of direction and emphasis within the congregation – a change of heart, perhaps, or a changing idea of “what church means.” Many of you who would not classify yourself as ‘off the center” have also made substantive changes to your way of being church.
Please especially note that word “unthinkable” in my question. I’m not talking about cosmetic or surface changes – I’m looking for those things that, had they been suggested at a board meeting 15 years ago, would have met with either blank stares or outright resistance. As an example, in the case of my church (Church of the Open Door, Ukiah), we were forced to make changes and we have come to love them, but if the church of 15 years ago and the church of today were to meet I’m not sure they would even recognize themselves as the same church – because we certainly look different and we act different and we see ourselves differently, as well.
So – what is it in the life of your community, whether worship or outreach or whatever, that once would have met with an implacable “NO” that is now a normal part of who you are? How and why did this change?
Just something to think about .....
RSS Feed