As I have heard many people say, things are not what they used to be. That can be in the context of any church or environment, but we can all relate to such a thought on a deep level for various reasons. And it’s hard - no one likes to see the wins of the past fizzle out, and the reality of loss take its place.
This week, I have been challenged by a book I started reading called Canoeing The Mountains. There is a quote from the author below. You see, for many decades our Church existed in a culture when Christianity was the center of it all. Now, though, we know that our culture and the world are much less aware, knowledgeable, or influenced by the Church. We are like those on missions, being salt and light to a world that is largely clouded by darkness. As I read, I recognize the author’s attempt to hold in tension two very stark realities: what used to be no longer is, nor do the strategies of the past work anymore, and God has so much in store for the future, as He reveals new ways of seeing His kingdom come on earth.
How can we hold these two things at once? Yes, we. I think sometimes we get too caught up in our own agendas and plans, and forget that we together are the Church. And when we talk about not comparing our gifts and roles in the Body, we need to understand that some are in leadership, while others have different (but not at all less important) roles to play. How are we trusting our leaders, and praying for them, as they wisely discern what must happen next? As the quote mentions, hard choices must be made, and everyone involved must change. What got us to where we are now, will not get us to where we need to go next. We cannot live off of the successes behind us, but we must be willing to adjust in order to have successes in the future.
Ask the Holy Spirit to make it clear what your role is in this season. Maybe you’re thinking, “Change!? Where is this coming from!?” But the reality is, we are in a pivotal time as the Church. Whether you’re in Amherst or Truro or somewhere nearby, the Church must grow and change in this season. We have to think about the big picture, and lean into God’s leading. We do not need to muster up a plan on our own; we simply must listen and follow His direction. It will not always be simple or easy, effortless or painless. But one thing I know for sure is this: it will be worth it. So let’s choose to be surrendered to God, to realize what is behind while focusing our eyes on what is to come, and let’s truly go together as we fulfill the Great Commandment.
- Pastor Emma
“Today’s leaders are facing complex challenges that have no clear-cut solutions… these problems are very often the result of yesterday’s solutions. They are what Ronald Heifetz calls ‘adaptive challenges’. They are challenges that go beyond the technical solutions of resident experts or best practices, or even the organization’s current knowledge. They arise when the world around us has changed but we continue to live on the successes of the past. They are challenges that cannot be solved through compromise or win-win scenarios, or by adding another ministry or staff person to the team. They demand that leaders make hard choices about what to preserve and what to let go. They are challenges that require people to learn and to change.” ~ Tod Bolsinger
